BANNU: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday said that killings in terrorist attacks would continue until the federal government reviewed its flawed policies.

“I told to the prime minister [during a telephonic conversation following the Bannu police checkpost attack] that condolences [over deaths in terrorist attacks] would continue pouring in as long as the flawed federal government policies aren’t revisited and corrected,” Mr Afridi told parliamentarians, tribal elders, government officials and notables during a jirga in Bannu.

He said he also complained to PM Shehbaz Sharif that the federal government appeared to have prioritised politically victimising former prime minister Imran Khan and dismantling his party PTI instead of ensuring durable peace in the region,” he said.

The CM said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police rendered unmatched sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

Afridi visits Bannu to offer condolence to families of fallen policemen

He vowed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police would be provided with modern weapons, additional resources and improved infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the force to combat terrorism.

The chief minister visited Bannu following the deadly terrorist attack on the Fatehkhel police checkpost. He met the families of the martyred policemen, inquired after the injured cops, and announced several measures for restoring peace and security in the region.

Mr Afridi went to the houses of the martyred policemen, offered Fateha for them and sympathised with their families.

He emphasised that the provincial government and police would jointly confront terrorism with full determination.

The CM also visited a hospital in Bannu, inquired after the injured personnel and directed authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment.

He said that maintaining peace in the province was his government’s top priority, so he won’t tolerate deterioration in the security situation.

Mr Afridi said he had repeatedly warned about the regrouping of terrorists.

“People are suffering from decades-long decision-making behind closed doors,” he said.

The chief minister said “imposed policies” had pushed the province into a state of insecurity and unrest.

He urged residents to stand up for their rights and lasting peace.

Mr Afridi was accompanied by chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, MNA Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, police chief Zulfiqar Hameed, RPO Sajjad Khan, deputy commissioner Faheem Khan, DPO Yasir Afridi and several senior government officials.

Former Senator Baz Muhammad Khan, Dr Pir Sahib Zaman and former provincial minister and MPA Malik Pakhtoon Yar Khan, along with other tribal elders, addressed the gathering.

They demanded that police be granted full authority and modern weapons to effectively combat terrorists and protect the lives and property of citizens.

The participants complained about the “presence of military personnel inside certain police stations” and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

They called for the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives of all political parties, regions and tribes to formulate a unanimous strategy to restore peace.

The jirga also demanded immediate implementation of the six-point agenda of the Bannu Qaumi Jirga.

It complained about the closure of Amnadi, Kot Barara and Juma Khan roads, as well as the inclusion of several local elders in Schedule IV and other legal cases.

The jirga demanded a “complete end to the good and bad Taliban policy.”

The chief minister announced construction of a modern model police station in place of the destroyed Fatehkhel police checkpost.

He said the police would be provided with modern weapons, additional resources and improved infrastructure to strengthen the force’s capacity to combat terrorism.

Mr Afridi also visited Hangu district and met the families of those martyred in the Durrori Banda terrorist attack. He offered Fateha for the departed souls and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.

He said that the provincial government stood shoulder-to-shoulder with terror-hit families and saluted their patience, resilience and sacrifices.

The CM said his government won’t abandon them and would ensure the provision of all facilities and support, including the Shuhada Package.

Parliamentarians, tribal elders, religious scholars and relevant government officials attended the jirga, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s House.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026