The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet on Thursday approved the formation of a special committee of the provincial assembly to investigate alleged rigging in the February 8, 2024, general elections in the province.
Chairing a cabinet meeting in Peshawar, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the committee would summon provincial government employees who performed election duties and question them regarding alleged irregularities during the polls, according to an official statement.
Read More: Operations imposed on KP without provincial approval: CM Sohail
The chief minister said the provincial government had already decided to withdraw the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation, 2011, but the process was facing delays due to the federal government’s failure to share details of terrorist detention centres. He warned that the absence of such information could pose security risks following the withdrawal of the regulation.
8 فروری انتخابات میں مبینہ دھاندلی کی تحقیقات کے لیے صوبائی اسمبلی میں اسپیشل کمیٹی قائم کر رہے ہیں، صوبائی ملازمین کو طلب کر کے انتخابی دھاندلی پر پوچھ گچھ کی جائے گی۔
وزیر اعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا محمد سہیل آفریدی کا صوبائی کابینہ سے خطاب pic.twitter.com/CyeBfW72FS
— Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) January 22, 2026
Mr Afridi criticised the federal government’s decision to declare political parties proscribed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and called for a fresh review of political workers placed in Schedule Four to provide relief. While expressing pride in the role of security forces, he said grievances were being directed at the province’s own people.
He also said military operations in the province were being conducted without the consent of the provincial government or assembly, stressing that all stakeholders, including tribal elders and political leadership, must be taken on board to ensure lasting peace. Despite numerous operations, he said terrorism had not been eliminated.
The chief minister condemned the “solitary confinement” of PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, terming it a violation of basic human rights. He also criticised the federal government for failing to provide promised funds for internally displaced persons, saying the province had spent Rs7.5 billion from its own resources so far.
Read More: KP CM orders inquiry into alleged rigging in NA-18 by-election
Briefing on cabinet decisions, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Shafi Jan said the cabinet approved multiple initiatives, including the introduction of artificial intelligence education in schools, judicial and prison reforms, and development funding. The cabinet also approved several bills, relief packages, infrastructure projects and grants aimed at education, justice, sports and flood rehabilitation.