Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Vows Strong Response to Any Attack, Calls for Respectful Repatriation of Afghan Refugees

PESHAWAR — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi warned on Friday that any attack — “including from Afghanistan” — would be met with a robust response, while reiterating his commitment to uphold the constitution and the rule of law.

Speaking informally to journalists, Mr. Afridi said he had not been brought into office to settle personal scores but to ensure constitutional governance. “Every step we take will be according to the law and the constitution,” he said, adding the provincial administration will pursue justice through the courts and stage peaceful protests if necessary.

On the sensitive issue of Afghan refugees, the chief minister said roughly 800,000 Afghan refugees have already returned to Afghanistan and 1.2 million remain in the province. He urged that those departing be sent back with dignity, saying, “They have spent a long time here — let them return honourably.”

Mr. Afridi also addressed internal party matters, noting he had come for change rather than to simply run a government. He said he had sought a meeting with the PTI founder but had not received a time; if that could not be arranged, he would consult the party over cabinet formation.

Defending his position amid recent controversies, Mr. Afridi claimed he had first been targeted and that constitutional processes were then obstructed. He disclosed that he had written to the Chief Justice and filed a petition in the high court, which he plans to refile on Monday after addressing objections.

The chief minister stressed that any attempt to influence judges or subvert legal processes would be resisted, and reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to act within legal bounds while protecting the province’s security and institutional integrity.