The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has strongly opposed the launch of a new military operation in the province, warning that such actions, including drone strikes, could worsen the already fragile law and order situation.
The government called for a public-backed strategy to eliminate terrorism and restore peace, insisting that lasting stability cannot be achieved through the use of force alone.
During a heated session of the K-P Assembly held on Thursday, members from both the government and opposition benches engaged in verbal clashes while debating the deteriorating security environment in the province, particularly in the tribal districts.
Speaking during the debate, Provincial Minister for Housing Dr Amjad Ali highlighted the worsening situation in the merged districts, stating that the rising number of casualties in the region is deeply alarming. "In the past, those fighting against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan were called mujahideen. Now, they are labelled as extremists. It's time to question the decisions made by former leaderships who trained and sent them across the border," he said.
He criticized the lack of effective border control and questioned the role of those responsible for securing the frontiers. "Afghanistan borders six countries, yet Pakistan alone suffers repeated cross-border attacks. This deserves serious reflection," he added.
Dr Amjad stressed that peace can only be achieved through community consultation, not military operations. "The Action in Aid of Civil Power Ordinance is a major source of unrest. It must be repealed or amended," he said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Aurangzeb Khan also voiced concern over the suffering of the tribal population, saying they bore the brunt of the war on terror between 2006 and 2014.
"The people of Bajaur to Orakzai have endured enough. After returning home, they were pushed into another crisis under the guise of the merger. This mockery must stop," he warned.
He added that without peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan too will remain unstable. "There must be meaningful dialogue with the Afghan government," he urged, emphasizing that tribal communities are ready to support law enforcement in fighting terrorism.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam's Aiman Jaleel demanded that the government share its roadmap for peace. "Instead of addressing public concerns, the Assembly has become a platform for political blame games," she said. Jaleel also condemned the humiliation of women lawmakers in the House and called for unity beyond party lines.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sohaib Afridi condemned the treatment of PTI workers during recent crackdowns. "We are not afraid of jails. On August 14, people will take to the streets to demand real freedom. Our government stands firmly against operations and drone strikes," he declared.
The opposition, meanwhile, demanded the formation of a parliamentary peace committee, accusing the provincial government of incompetence in handling the security crisis. The session concluded with no clear consensus as tensions between the two sides continued to escalate.
