Speaking at a press conference alongside Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and PML-N leader Akhtar Wali Khan, Khawaja Asif emphasized that seasonal relocation from Tirah and its surrounding areas has been a longstanding practice during severe winter months.
‘This migration is part of tradition, not a reflection of a security crisis,’ he said firmly. The minister further noted that the armed forces have not conducted large scale operations in the area for years. ‘Targeted, intelligence based operations were carried out against approximately 500 TTP elements solely to maintain law and order,’ he added.
Khawaja Asif revealed that a 26 member jirga met with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in December, which resulted in the announcement of a migration package worth four billion rupees. He stressed that this arrangement was managed by the provincial government and local elders, with no involvement of the military.
The minister criticized the provincial authorities for attempting to shift the blame for administrative shortcomings onto the armed forces. He also raised concerns about the cultivation of cannabis across 12,000 acres in the region, pointing out that profits from this crop often fuel shared interests between certain political figures and the TTP, while essential public services such as police stations and schools remain neglected.
Khawaja Asif urged journalists to investigate the transparency of the four billion rupee migration package, questioning where and how the funds were actually spent. He reassured that the federal government is ready to support the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, provided that attention is genuinely directed toward public welfare.
Meanwhile, PML-N’s Akhtar Wali Khan accused the provincial government of diverting funds intended for public welfare toward street protests for political gain. ‘There must be strict accountability for the use of public funds,’ he said.
This statement comes amid growing public scrutiny over the effectiveness of provincial governance and the transparency of resources allocated for citizens’ welfare.
