DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday called for better cooperation between the provincial and federal governments on security matters, saying the counterterrorism policy should reflect ground realities.
The chief minister made these comments during his visit to Dera Ismail Khan to visit the wounded, a day after a deadly bombing targeting a police and customs check-post killed more than 12 people, including rescue officials, in Darazinda.
He was received by his predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur, and the two subsequently visited the hospital where the injured were being treated.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Afridi said his government had warned about the deteriorating security situation in the province and added that people, police personnel and soldiers were bearing the brunt of violence.
Afridi visits victims of Dera Ismail Khan attack alongside predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur; urges Centre to involve the province in decision-making, provide resources
He said his government provided an additional Rs35 billion to the KP police in the previous financial year for maintaining peace and security. He claimed the province also made payments to federal agencies for the provision of modern weapons, equipment and armoured personnel carriers (APCs), but the required equipment had yet to be delivered.
He demanded that the federal government provide APCs to the province without further delay and said the people of KP should be taken into confidence before making decisions about peace and security. “We are picking up coffins on a daily basis,” the CM said, calling for greater cooperation between the federal and provincial governments on security matters.
“Peace cannot be established without taking the people of KP into confidence,” he said, adding that his government did not accept policies formulated behind ‘closed doors’.
CM Afridi said that anyone taking up arms against Pakistan was a terrorist and expressed concern over the security situation in KP and Balochistan. He said families of those killed in acts of terrorism would be provided with a martyr package.
The chief minister also launched a diatribe against ‘some elements’ in the federal government, accusing them of polarising the country. He said those threatening to impose governor’s rule in KP should go ahead and do it instead of issuing threats.
Officials laid to rest
Meanwhile, Customs official Farman Khan, who embraced martyrdom in the D.I. Khan suicide bombing, was laid to rest in Ghazni Khel in Lakki Marwat district on Sunday. His body was brought to his hometown from D.I. Khan early in the morning. The martyred official was known in the area for patronising and promoting sports and engaging in social and welfare work.
The funeral prayers of the slain personnel were offered at the Ejaz Shaheed police lines on Saturday night. Besides Customs Havaldar Farman, Sepoy Osama and Rescue 1122 officials Imtiaz and Sharifullah were among the deceased. Police personnel presented a guard of honour, while officials laid floral wreaths.
Our correspondent in Lakki Marwat also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026
