PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday said the province’s police had remained on the frontlines in war against terrorism and never shied away from making sacrifices but a “particular mindset at the helm of affairs” in the country failed to acknowledge those sacrifices.

“Our government firmly stands with the police and reiterates the provincial government’s firm resolve to root out terrorism,” he said during a function held at Peshawar’s police headquarters to hand over bulletproof vehicles, modern weapons and security equipment to the police.

The CM said the provincial government was fulfilling all needs of police on a priority basis.

“We’re enhancing the capacity of the police on an emergency basis to effectively counter terrorism,” he said.

Afridi hands over bulletproof vehicles, modern arms, security equipment to Peshawar police

Mr Afridi said his government had provided Rs7.7 billion funds to strengthen the counter-terrorism department, while a package of Rs7.2 billion had been approved for the Special Branch.

He added that Rs6.5 billion funds had been released to improve security infrastructure and police capacity in the merged tribal districts.

The CM said that CTD and the Special Branch were being strengthened, with additional recruitment and infrastructure development and that the government was strengthening police in line with the vision of PTI founder Imran Khan.

He said that the Safe Cities Project was being expanded from Peshawar to divisional headquarters and the merged districts, with an additional grant of Rs3.8 billion already approved for it.

Mr Afridi said the province would soon get rid of terrorism.

He said that the decisions taken behind closed doors and imposed on the province had caused significant damage.

The CM said in accordance with Mr Imran’s vision, police had been kept free from political interference.

He, however, regretted that pressure was being exerted on police in connection with the May 9 violence cases against him.

Mr Afridi urged those “pursuing political objectives” to refrain from such acts and allow the police to remain non-political and focus their attention on discharging professional duties.

Later, he told reporters said that a jirga was held at the KP Assembly, with participants unanimously declaring that military operations were not a solution to militancy.

He said that a comprehensive and long-term policy against terrorism should be formulated by taking political and religious parties and tribal elders into confidence.

Responding to a question, Mr Afridi said that Feb 8 marked a “day of disrespect for the voters’ mandate” and that by undermining the mandate, a party with just 17 National Assembly seats was installed at the Centre.

He added that questioning that act remained the PTI’s right.

The CM condemned terrorist attacks in Balochistan, expressed grief and solidarity with the affected families and said that KP police were fully prepared to handle any untoward situation.

Earlier, during a visit to Police Lines Peshawar, the chief minister paid homage to martyred personnel at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada, laid wreaths and offered Fateha.

During the ceremony, the chief minister handed over bulletproof vehicles, SMGs, bulletproof jackets, bulletproof helmets and sniper rifles to the police, while new heavy bikes were also provided to the traffic police.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and other senior police officers were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2026