PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday called on the federal government to retract its statement and apologise over “false” claims that Tirah residents were not warned to evacuate ahead of a planned military operation against militants. He warned that if the statement was not withdrawn, he would convene a jirga of the Afridi tribe next Sunday.
Read More: Tirah operation: facts vs propaganda
Addressing the provincial assembly, Afridi said the federal government’s claims amounted to a confrontation between state institutions and the provincial government, and undermined the 24-member committee that had signed the evacuation agreement. He added that the press release showed “no confidence” in the Peshawar Corps commander and Frontier Corps inspector general, whom he instructed not to be verbally invited to future jirgas.
وزیراعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا محمد سہیل خان آفریدی کا وفاقی رقوم کی عدم ادائیگی پر وزیرِاعظم کو باضابطہ خط ارسال!
وزیراعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا محمد سہیل خان آفریدی نے وفاقی حکومت کی جانب سے آئینی طور پر واجب الادا مالی رقوم کی مسلسل عدم ادائیگی پر شدید تشویش کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے اس حوالے سے… pic.twitter.com/rl1FQYzmE3
— Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) January 26, 2026
Afridi insisted that his party, PTI, had warned of militants regrouping in the hills, but the warnings were ignored, leaving residents confused amid escalating attacks. He said militants targeted locals for denying them food, while the military acted against those providing aid, creating a security crisis. He added that the evacuation was intended to turn Tirah residents against the provincial government but “did not succeed.”
The session also saw Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah highlight the National Action Plan against terrorism, noting the federal government had released Rs800 billion for counterterrorism in KP but failed to establish police stations in merged tribal districts.
Afridi’s special assistant, Shafi Jan, said the federal government and ISPR initially confirmed the Tirah offensive but later denied it. Lawmakers from multiple districts raised mobile connectivity issues, prompting the chair to direct the chief secretary to coordinate with cellular companies.
Read More: Government rejects Tirah Valley ‘depopulation’ claims
In addition, the assembly passed several bills, including the KP Adhoc Lecturers Regularisation of Services Amendment Bill, 2026, and adopted resolutions condemning Indian aggression in occupied Kashmir and rejecting Pakistan’s participation in the Gaza Board of Peace.