Tirah Valley Evacuation Notice Must Be Withdrawn or I Will Convene Pashtun Jirga: KP CM Suhail Afridi

**Islamabad:** Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has warned that if the notification ordering the evacuation of Tirah Valley is not withdrawn, he will convene a jirga of the Pashtun nation. He said that if the decision is found to be wrong, he will personally take the displaced people back to Tirah Valley.

Addressing participants of a street movement rally in Mingora on Sunday, the Chief Minister strongly reacted to a federal government notification regarding the Tirah Valley affectees. He said the notification claimed that residents of Tirah were migrating voluntarily, which he rejected outright.

Suhail Afridi stated that if the notification is not withdrawn and an apology is not issued, he will first call a jirga of the Afridi tribe and then a jirga of the entire Pashtun nation. He reiterated that if injustice is proven, he will himself facilitate the return of the displaced families to their homeland.

The Chief Minister further announced that all future communications with the federal government would be conducted in writing and backed by evidence. He accused federal authorities of imposing decisions behind closed doors and retreating when those decisions fail.

Speaking about political opposition to his appointment, Suhail Afridi said that when his name was proposed for the office of Chief Minister, an individual came to Peshawar and objected, despite having no authority to interfere. He asserted that his leadership had nominated him and that their decision would prevail.

He alleged that multiple tactics were used to block his appointment, including accusations of smuggling and later of links to terrorism, but said all such attempts failed.

The Chief Minister also vowed to continue efforts for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, saying the large turnout at the rally proved that the public stood firmly with him. He said the street movement was meant to demonstrate political strength and announced that a jirga of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be convened soon.

Several lawmakers, including Junaid Akbar, were present alongside the Chief Minister. After a brief address, Suhail Afridi departed for Timergara.