CM Afridi announces increase from Rs160,000 to Rs500,000 at jirga with tribal elders
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressing a jirga in Bajaur Photo: Express
BAJAUR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced at a jirga on Sunday that compensation for houses damaged during the recent security operation in Bajaur has been increased from Rs160,000 to Rs500,000.
The jirga, held under Afridi’s chairmanship, included parliamentarians, tribal elders and community notables from Bajaur district. Discussions focused on security, development, and regional affairs.
Participants expressed confidence in the chief minister and pledged full cooperation with the provincial government. The meeting reviewed the law and order situation in the province, prospects for improving Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, and the government’s broader development strategy for the merged districts.
Tribal elders and other participants offered suggestions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the region. Afridi acknowledged the sacrifices made by tribal elders, local communities, police and security forces in restoring peace, noting that these efforts had brought stability across the country by 2018.
Read: Kurram elders call for full restoration of peace
A day earlier, community and religious leaders from Central Kurram had called for the full deployment of army, Frontier Corps, and police forces across the region to ensure peace and prevent its use for cross-border unrest.
“We demand that the federal and provincial governments take immediate measures to restore normalcy in Central Kurram,” Maulana Shahnawaz said yesterday. “The ongoing unrest has caused immense damage to lives, homes, and businesses. Families who have lost loved ones and properties in recent operations must be provided comprehensive relief and rehabilitation packages.”
He cautioned that deliberate attempts were now being made to destabilise the situation. Highlighting the problems caused by decisions taken behind closed doors, Afridi stressed that sustainable peace required inclusive decision-making involving both tribal elders and the provincial government. “We will not be part of any failed policy,” he said.
The chief minister praised the people of Bajaur and tribal elders for their role in maintaining peace. Referring to the merger of the former FATA with K-P, he said an annual allocation of Rs100b had been promised at the time, but only Rs168b had been released over seven years, leaving Rs532b outstanding from the federal government. He also criticised the non-release of funds under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).
Read more:12 terrorists killed as forces fight off multiple attacks in Balochistan’s Kharan
Afridi directed officials to raise the upper age limit for police recruitment in the merged districts and to accelerate work on the Bajaur martyrs’ package. He also ordered the provision of security for tribal elders who have contributed to peace and national development.
He further announced that schools and hospitals under the Roshan Qabail Package in the merged districts would be upgraded to improve access to education and healthcare.
Terror in K-P
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has experienced a significant surge in terrorism during 2025, with over 500 attacks reported, marking a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
According to a detailed security assessment obtained by The Express Tribune, the province faced 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, reflecting a rapidly escalating militant threat across both settled and tribal regions. Despite the rise in attacks, security forces managed to prevent 320 major strikes, while 137 police officers and personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Districts such as Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, and Peshawar remained the most frequently targeted, with a noticeable pattern of attacks planned and executed from across the Afghan border.
