K-P Rejects Military Ops After Imran’s Directive

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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has opposed federal military operations in the province’s tribal areas, aligning with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s directive to prioritize peace through tribal jirgas.

On August 3, 2025, the K-P government formally responded to reports that Imran Khan had instructed party leadership to avoid supporting federal military actions in tribal districts. The move came after the federal launch of ‘Operation Sarbakaf’ in Bajaur’s Lowi Mamund tehsil, which involved artillery and helicopter deployment, as reported by Dawn and The Tribune. In an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, Gandapur’s administration emphasized a preference for political solutions and announced the initiation of regional jirgas to address local security concerns.

The jirga, held in Khyber and Orakzai districts, was attended by 150 tribal elders, six Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs), three Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and one senator, according to ARY News. Participants rejected displacement caused by military operations and reiterated that “development is linked to peace.”

Chief Minister Gandapur, speaking during the event, advocated for dialogue with Afghan authorities to manage cross-border militancy. Tribal leaders echoed the sentiment, condemning curfews and civilian casualties linked to Operation Sarbakaf. The operation reportedly killed four militants and injured 12 others, while two civilians, including a child, were also killed, sparking protests in Bajaur, Arab News reported.

Further jirgas are planned in Mohmand, Bajaur, and Waziristan, culminating in a grand jirga aimed at building consensus among tribal communities and provincial leaders, according to Independent Pakistan. Gandapur’s government has also begun efforts to repeal the K-P Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Ordinance 2019, which had granted the military powers to detain suspects during previous counterterrorism operations, as reported by Dawn.

The provincial response reflects Khan’s broader stance on civil-military relations. PTI figures, including MPA Anwar Zeb Khan, have voiced concerns over the human cost of military operations. Amid 476 terror incidents recorded in K-P during 2025, according to police data cited by Geo News, the provincial government continues to stress local engagement and community-led solutions as key to achieving lasting peace.