Imran Khan’s Message from Jail: A Call for Peace and Unity
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in a terrorist attack in the Orakzai area. He said that in such military operations, it is always Pakistanis who suffer — civilians, police officers, and soldiers alike. Among the martyrs were a Colonel and a Major, whom he termed “extremely regrettable.” He prayed for the martyrs’ higher ranks in heaven and for the swift recovery of the injured.
Imran Khan blamed the “flawed policies of the imposed mafia” for the worsening situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and across Pakistan. He said the country is witnessing a record rise in terrorism this year, with hundreds of lives lost — a situation without precedent. He warned that if the current approach continues, the crisis will only deepen.
According to Khan, true peace requires dialogue among four key stakeholders — the KP government, the tribal people, the Afghan government, and the Afghan nation. He criticised the existing “war policy” of drone attacks, jets, and mortar shelling, calling it “utterly foolish.” Such tactics, he said, have only trapped Pakistan in an endless cycle of violence and retaliation.
He also expressed disappointment in the KP government for failing to uphold his vision of peace. “During our tenure, peace was restored in these areas,” he said. “But the KP government could not distance itself from the war-driven policies of the federal government.”
Imran Khan Announcement
Imran Khan announced a major political decision: Sohail Afridi will now serve as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said this change aims to revive his peace strategy and rebuild trust with local communities.
Reflecting on his government’s performance, Khan said that terrorism was at its lowest during PTI’s tenure, even when Afghanistan was under the India-friendly Ashraf Ghani administration. “Despite that, I personally visited Afghanistan to improve relations,” he noted. “Our efforts kept the border areas peaceful.”
Imran Khan criticised the current rulers for damaging Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. He called the deportation of Afghan refugees after four decades of hospitality “inhumane and painful.” He also accused former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto of neglect, saying, “Despite being in office for over a year and travelling the world, he never visited Kabul.”
Khan urged a broader, collective effort for lasting peace. “All parties must sit together,” he said. “Dialogue, not war, is the only solution.” He expressed confidence that Sohail Afridi will implement his vision of peace in accordance with tribal customs and public aspirations.
Imran Khan concluded with hope: “This change in the KP government will mark a new beginning. Through mutual understanding and cooperation, we can achieve lasting peace in Pakistan.”
