KP Chief Minister Criticizes Maryam Nawaz Over Terrorism Remarks

Peshawar (Terror Monitor) — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her remarks that the province faces a greater threat from neighboring provinces than from neighboring countries, saying her statement had effectively portrayed three other provinces bordering Punjab as sources of terrorism.

Afridi said the remarks by what he described as a “Form 47 chief minister” produced by an “illegitimate system” had damaged Pakistan’s position internationally on terrorism. He also said the statement had raised further questions about the thinking of those who created and continue to run the current system.

He claimed that Maryam Nawaz’s remarks had given Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India a “clean chit” over terrorism in Pakistan.

The KP chief minister said that during the Pakistan-India war, “this group, including Nawaz Sharif, remained absent,” and no statement was issued until the conflict ended. Referring to the Dawn Leaks controversy, he alleged that it had also been used to place responsibility for terrorism on Pakistan.

Afridi accused the group of consistently prioritizing personal interests over national interests. According to him, Pakistan, its people and its institutions are respected by them only when they serve their personal interests.

He said what he described as a prejudiced tone against the smaller provinces reflected what he called the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s “divisive mindset.” He added that labeling three federal units as the source of terrorism amounted to further weakening the foundations of the country.

The KP chief minister also said that on February 8, 2024, voters had rejected the group not only in Pakistan but also in Punjab and Lahore. He said the outcome should serve as another lesson for those who continued to bring such people into power and support them, arguing that a country cannot be strengthened by disregarding the public vote and the people’s decision.

Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had said that she faced less of a threat from neighboring countries and more from neighboring provinces, adding that terrorism was entering Punjab from those areas.