Five Questions Khawaja Asif Wants Sohail Afridi to Answer
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has challenged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to answer five questions concerning the provincial government’s position on terrorism, counterterrorism policy and the resettlement of militants in the province.
In a post on social media platform X, Asif questioned the PTI-led provincial government’s approach to militancy and challenged Afridi to a televised debate on the issue.
Asif alleged that PTI founder Imran Khan had been the strongest supporter of resettling militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during his tenure, claiming that assembly speeches and media reports provided evidence of the party’s position.
He questioned the PTI leadership’s repeated assertion that it had not been given sufficient space or authority to formulate an effective counterterrorism policy, asking the party to explain its record in government.
The defence minister also questioned the KP government’s engagement with the families of terrorism victims, asking whether the chief minister or provincial leadership had visited the homes of civilian martyrs to offer condolences.
He further questioned the provincial government’s participation in federal security mechanisms, including meetings of the Apex Committee, and its response to the National Action Plan.
Asif also raised questions over the KP government’s alleged failure to openly condemn militant activity linked to Afghanistan and to express solidarity with the armed forces and police personnel killed in counterterrorism operations.
The defence minister alleged that successive PTI-backed chief ministers had confronted the federal government after the party lost power at the Centre. He also accused the KP government of allowing state resources to be misused and alleged that militants benefited through extortion payments.
Asif said the public deserved clarity on the decisions taken by the PTI government and the provincial administration regarding militancy and security policy.
He maintained that Pakistan had the capacity to confront both internal and external threats, praising the sacrifices of the armed forces and civilians in the fight against terrorism.
The remarks come amid renewed political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration, with terrorism, militancy and the province’s security situation becoming central points of political confrontation.
