KP opposition leader says CM Afridi-led govt approved Tirah operation

Opposition Leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Dr Ibadullah on Wednesday said that the decision to launch an operation in Tirah was taken by the apex committee chaired by the chief minister, while the provincial government was publicly opposing the move.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Dr Ibadullah criticised the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, calling it “zero” and accusing it of ignoring public issues in the province. He alleged that corruption was widespread and said the overall situation in the province was deteriorating.

“The provincial government should explain what it has done so far,” he said, adding that while other provinces were moving forward, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was falling behind. He urged the government to avoid further destabilising the province.

Referring to the situation in Tirah, Dr Ibadullah reiterated that the operation was approved during a meeting of the apex committee chaired by the chief minister. He said the provincial government was opposing the operation in public despite having agreed to it, adding that the operation was being carried out with the government’s approval.

He further said that the deputy commissioner had signed an agreement with a jirga, and that the DC was subordinate to the provincial government. Citing a briefing by the inspector general of police, he claimed that the police lacked the capacity to conduct such an operation.

Commenting on remarks by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Dr Ibadullah said the statement reflected a personal view. He alleged that the provincial government was not transferring funds to lower levels, and dismissed claims related to funding as misleading.