ABBOTTABAD (Hamdullah Khan) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday addressed the convocation ceremony of Abbottabad University, where he congratulated students on receiving degrees and gold medals, calling it a matter of pride for the entire province.
Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said education was of vital importance, particularly for women, adding that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had made education free for girls. He announced that 14,000 new teachers were being recruited to improve primary education in the province.
Criticising past policies, Sohail Afridi said no serious attention had been paid to KP over the last 70 years. He claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had given special focus to health and education during its 13 years ruling and had ensured the provision of basic facilities in the merged districts of former FATA.
Referring to the impact of militancy, the chief minister said military operations carried out between 2004 and 2018 had destroyed infrastructure and livelihoods in the districts. He alleged that the federal government had failed to provide the annually allocated Rs100 billion for these districts and had not released the promised relief funds for the affected population.
Sohail Afridi said regime change had resulted in the return of terrorism, while people of the Tirah Valley were once again being displaced in the name of military operations. He added that a forced operation was underway in the area, claiming that decisions were being taken behind closed doors.
The chief minister also alleged that the health system in the districts, which had earlier been improved, was now being destroyed. He claimed the federal government owed Rs4,758 billion to the provincial government.
Expressing concern over the country’s situation, Sohail Afridi said youth and industrialists were leaving Pakistan due to prevailing conditions. He further stated that the founder of PTI and his wife were being unfairly treated by being kept in jail.
In a press release regarding the Abbottabad operation, the chief minister termed the situation a “war between the province and the federation.” He asserted that he stood with his people and could not be silenced.
Calling on the youth, Sohail Afridi said he was a rebel against closed-room policies and urged young people to raise their voices against decisions taken without public consent.
