Senior journalist Umar Cheema, while speaking on Geo News’ program “Report Card”, strongly criticised the recent statement of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Umar Cheema
He said that Sohail Afridi’s demand for evidence of terrorism in Afghanistan is a great act of dishonesty against the interests of Pakistan.
He said that TTP is their armed wing, and mothers’ children are dying. And the Chief Minister is making such statements; he should be held accountable.
According to him, politics cannot stoop to this level. Such a serious issue is being politicised, and that too by the Chief Minister of the province, which is the most affected by terrorism.
If this statement is not appropriate for an MPA, then he is making such statements as the Chief Minister, which is very surprising and highly condemnable.
According to him, Sohail Afridi should be demanded to withdraw his statement.
Cheema said that it does not seem that this person is the Chief Minister of KP.
‘This statement is a sign of a frivolous person, and it proves that Sohail Afridi is not qualified for the post of Chief Minister. This statement is extremely shameful,’ he said.
He clarified that this is not a strategy but a sign of low intelligence or dishonesty, and it proves that the Chief Minister is not yet ready for this post.
Cheema said that this statement reflects a frivolous person. What Sohail Afridi said today proves that he is not qualified for the post of Chief Minister.
‘These people say that we were not given such and such a briefing, but they should ask their IG or any DPO.’
‘Today, their own police personnel were martyred in the Tank district; the DPO there can clearly tell where the terrorists come from.’
The senior journalist raised the question that if terrorists are not coming from Afghanistan, then it should be clear that terrorism is happening from within Pakistan, and who is providing patronage and facilitation behind it.
He said that the avoidance of accountability and the lack of a clear stance of the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, Shafi Jan, regarding TTP further strengthens the fear that these elements are taking a soft approach towards them.
Cheema stressed that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a person who has himself been elected from the area most affected by terrorism, where operations are still ongoing.
Despite this, making such irresponsible statements is not only dangerous but also harmful to national security.
The journalist said that the Assembly should immediately convene a meeting on this issue, and a formal explanation should be sought from the Chief Minister.
He suggested that the Chief Minister should attend the Corps Commander’s in-camera briefing with his IG, DPOs, and CTD Chief and clarify whether terrorism is coming from Afghanistan or from within Pakistan, and if from within, who is providing the patronage.
Cheema stressed that this is not a political statement but a matter of national security, and such frivolous behaviour can set a dangerous narrative for the country.
Sohail Warraich
Senior journalist and analyst Sohail Warraich, speaking on Geo News’ program Report Card about Sohail Afridi’s statement regarding Afghanistan, said that every state has some basic requirements.
“Without a state and its army, democracy, political parties, and politics cannot function,” he said.
He added that in all the wars Pakistan has faced, the entire opposition has always stood with the state.
“Terrorism is also essentially a form of war. I don’t understand why PTI is resisting on this issue, even though they themselves have suffered the most from terrorism, particularly terrorism originating from Afghanistan.”
“In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they have faced severe challenges. From Swat’s Murad Saeed to other leaders, every All-Parties Conference and committee meeting repeatedly emphasised this point,” he said.
“I have discussed this openly with Imran Khan, who agreed that the fight against Taliban terrorism must be collective. On issues where there is national consensus, no party should step back.”
“All national and political parties had agreed that in such matters, we would stand together, and when the state acts, we will support it,” he added.
He further said that PTI is making its path more difficult. “Their failure to acknowledge and rectify the serious May 9 mistake has already become a burden on them. This approach is not wise. If they learn from reason, understanding, and past experiences, they may find a better path. They are already in a crisis, and making it worse is not in their interest. They should reduce it,” Warraich said.
He emphasised that PTI should reconsider diverging from the state’s policy, which they themselves signed and under which operations continued during their tenure.
“What has changed that they are now deviating from it? The state will act anyway. Terrorist attacks cannot continue while the state sits idle. Ultimately, they will either have to step back or adjust their policy,” he concluded.
