The federal government has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to replace Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing his government of failing to curb terrorism in the province.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry called on the PTI to nominate a new chief minister, saying the province needed leadership capable of effectively tackling the growing security challenges.
He said politically immature individuals had been imposed on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and urged those staging what he described as a “circus” on the streets to act responsibly. Chaudhry said dealing with the PTI’s long march was not a challenge for the federal government, adding that the political protest and the fight against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were two separate issues.
He said the government was actively working on the ground to eliminate elements responsible for bloodshed. Twelve districts have been severely affected by terrorism, he added, stressing that special measures were urgently needed to address the situation. The minister said combating terrorism remained a top priority for the federal government.
He further claimed that terrorism had turned several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into “no-go zones”, yet PTI members were able to move in and out of these areas with ease. He demanded that the party clarify its alleged links with terrorists.
The PML-N leader said the party had finalised all arrangements to deal with the PTI’s long march.
Clarifying the possibility of imposing an emergency in the province, Chaudhry said such a move would have no connection with the long march. Instead, he argued, it would reflect a lack of cooperation from the provincial government in the fight against terrorism.