CM Afridi Urges Federal Government to Apologise Over Tirah Operation Claims

KP chief minister says disputed statements have hurt public trust, calls for transparency, reconciliation, and a fact-based national narrative

The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur Afridi, has called on the federal government to issue a formal apology over what he described as misleading and damaging claims surrounding the Tirah Valley military operation. His remarks have reignited a sensitive national debate about counterterrorism narratives, civilian impact, and the importance of accuracy and accountability in official statements.

Speaking to media and party workers, CM Afridi said that assertions made by federal officials regarding the Tirah operation did not align with ground realities and had caused deep resentment among the local population. According to him, such claims risk undermining hard-won trust between the state and residents of the former tribal districts, an area that has endured years of militancy, displacement, and insecurity.

A Region Scarred by Conflict

Tirah Valley, located in the Khyber district near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, has long been a strategic yet volatile region. Over the past two decades, it has witnessed multiple military operations aimed at dismantling militant networks. While these operations were launched in the name of national security, they also resulted in mass displacement, economic disruption, and long-term trauma for local communities.

CM Afridi emphasized that the people of Tirah have consistently supported peace efforts and cooperated with security forces, often at great personal cost. “To misrepresent what happened there, or to gloss over the sacrifices made by civilians, is not just inaccurate—it is unjust,” he said.

Disputed Claims and Political Fallout

Although the chief minister did not single out specific individuals, he referred to federal-level statements that portrayed the Tirah operation as either more comprehensive or less disruptive than residents recall. Such narratives, he argued, ignore reports of displacement, property damage, and the prolonged recovery faced by families forced to leave their homes.

“These are not abstract policy debates,” Afridi said. “These are lived experiences of real people. When official claims contradict those experiences, it deepens mistrust and fuels a sense of marginalisation.”

His demand for an apology is as much symbolic as it is political. An acknowledgement of error, Afridi contends, would signal respect for the people of KP and demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Call for Transparency and Fact-Based Governance

Beyond the apology, the KP chief minister called for greater transparency in how military operations are communicated to the public. He urged the federal government to rely on verified data, independent assessments, and local consultations before making sweeping claims about security outcomes.

“Security successes should be celebrated, but not at the expense of truth,” he said. “A fact-based approach strengthens democracy and helps ensure that future operations are planned with civilian protection at their core.”

Afridi also stressed the need for compensation, rehabilitation, and development in Tirah and surrounding areas. He argued that peace cannot be sustained through force alone and that long-term stability depends on economic opportunity, infrastructure, and political inclusion.

Federal Response and Broader Implications

As of now, federal authorities have not issued a formal response to the apology demand. However, officials have previously maintained that security operations were conducted with care and were necessary to eliminate militant threats. The divergence in narratives highlights a broader civil-military and centre-province tension over how counterterrorism efforts are framed and evaluated.

Analysts note that such disagreements are not new but have become more visible in an era of heightened political polarisation. “This is about who controls the national story,” said one Islamabad-based political commentator. “When provinces challenge federal narratives, it reflects deeper questions about federalism, accountability, and representation.”

Voices from Tirah

Local activists and elders from Tirah have welcomed CM Afridi’s stance, saying it validates long-standing grievances. Many residents argue that while security has improved, the social and economic costs of past operations have not been fully addressed.

“We want peace, but we also want dignity,” said a community elder from the valley. “An apology would not change the past, but it would show that our suffering is recognised.”

Looking Ahead

CM Afridi concluded his remarks by urging dialogue over denial. He called on the federal government to engage with provincial authorities and local leaders to build a shared, honest account of the Tirah operation and its aftermath.

“In a democracy, strength lies in owning mistakes and learning from them,” he said. “Only then can we move forward together.”

As Pakistan continues to navigate complex security challenges, the debate sparked by the Tirah operation claims serves as a reminder that lasting peace requires not just military success, but credibility, compassion, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.