PESHAWAR — In his maiden address to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly following his election, Chief Minister-elect Sohail Afridi delivered an impassioned speech promising to resist any fresh large-scale military operations in the province, citing the heavy collateral damage and long-term social costs they have produced. Afridi vowed to carry forward the vision of Imran Khan — stressing people-first governance, respect for civil rights and the need to avoid tactics that further alienate local communities.
The new chief minister’s remarks combined emotion and party line convictions with policy prescriptions. He repeatedly underscored that past operations have left many internally displaced persons, damaged livelihoods and failed to produce lasting peace. “Military action without local consent has backfired in KP,” Afridi told lawmakers, urging that any security measures must include tribal elders, local stakeholders and community leaders if they are to succeed.
At the same time, Afridi’s speech acknowledged a delicate political reality: in KP, the security establishment remains a central stakeholder that has borne considerable sacrifices in the fight against militancy. Observers say this makes relationship management with the military unavoidable. While Afridi’s rhetoric signals the province’s insistence on limiting heavy-handed operations, his calls for inclusion not confrontation point toward a pragmatic path that recognizes the establishment’s role while pushing for greater consultation and accountability.
On Afghanistan and refugee policy, the chief minister called for a formal review and greater coordination with the federal government. He argued for humane treatment of Afghan nationals and warned against forced, disorderly evictions that would inflame tensions. Yet his plea for compassion came alongside a sober acknowledgement of security concerns voiced by many in KP: protracted overstaying by some refugees has complicated law-and-order management, strained resources, and, in certain cases, created vulnerabilities that militant groups could exploit.
Afridi’s combined message oppose indiscriminate operations, include locals, review Afghan policy reflects a balancing act between principled opposition to collateral damage and hard security realities on the ground. Experts say the CM must now translate rhetoric into measured policy: pursue registration and regularization drives, improve refugee-camp management, cooperate with federal institutions on repatriation and integration programs, and expand community-led policing and development initiatives that undercut extremist recruitment.
Critics warn Afridi that while emotional and populist appeals will solidify party support, long-term governance will demand rationalism, consensus building and steady dialogue with the military and federal authorities. Success will hinge on converting his commitments into inclusive decision-making mechanisms, transparent oversight of any security action, and socio-economic programs to address grievances that fuel unrest.
As Afridi begins his tenure, the province watches closely: the promise to limit military interventions while protecting peace, dignity and security is popular but its delivery will require both political courage and pragmatic cooperation across institutions.
