ABBOTTABAD: Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi said here on Wednesday that military operations between 2004 and 2018 devastated tribal districts.

Addressing the convocation of Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), he said that the decisions to oust the government of Imran Khan and re-impose terrorism on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were taken behind closed doors.

He said that education was vital for societal development. He congratulated graduates on completing their academic journey. He said that provincial government was giving special priority to female education. He said that education was free for intermediate-level girl students and orphans in government colleges.

The chief minister said that primary education was the foundation of the entire education system. “If the foundation is strong, the structure will also be strong,” he remarked, adding that government was focusing on primary schooling.

CM rejects Centre’s claim about voluntary migration of Tirah people

Criticising past policies, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had long been neglected. He claimed that the PTI-led provincial government made unprecedented investments during its 13 years in power. He said that significant steps were taken in tribal districts over the past seven years, which, according to him, the federal government failed to take in 65 years.

Mr Afridi said that before the merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, public representatives there had no effective role. He said that military operations between 2004 and 2018 devastated tribal districts.

He alleged that promises made at the time of merger of tribal areas with the province were not being fulfilled.

He claimed that the decisions to oust the elected government of Imran Khan and re-impose terrorism on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were taken behind closed doors. Referring to recent developments in Tirah, he said that people were being forcibly displaced. “We wanted to provide education to our people, but this right is once again being taken away,” he said.

The chief minister alleged that improvements made in provincial healthcare system were being reversed. About compensation for damaged homes during previous military operations, he said that federal government had promised only Rs400,000 per household. “It is shameful that even this amount has not been paid to the affected people,” he added.

He claimed that federal government still owed Rs750 billion the province. He also alleged that International Monetary Fund reported corruption worth Rs5,300 billion by current rulers.

The chief minister said GDP growth stood at 6.1 per cent during Imran Khan’s tenure, whereas it was now fluctuating between 2.7 and 2.8 per cent.

He rejected the federal government’s claim that people were migrating from Tirah voluntarily. “Earlier the operation was openly acknowledged in National Assembly and press conferences, but it is now being denied. No consultation was held with the provincial government regarding the operation. It is another closed-door decision,” he added.

The chief minister said that he was a soldier of Imran Khan and stood firmly with the people and the province. “I can neither be intimidated nor bought. I will stand like a rock,” he declared.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2026