Sohail Afridi Condemns Civilian Casualties in Anti-Terror Operations
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Wednesday made a bold statement, declaring that civilian deaths during security operations should be considered a “war crime” rather than collateral damage. Speaking after attending the first meeting of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Security at the provincial assembly, Afridi emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to international standards of warfare ethics.
He noted that under international norms, collateral damage is determined by “intention and proportion”, meaning civilian harm must be minimal and unintended. However, the chief minister lamented that in one recent operation, 21 civilians were martyred without a single terrorist casualty — a statistic he described as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
Call for Accountability and Legal Reform
Afridi announced that his government would soon introduce legislation to prevent civilian casualties during anti-terrorism operations. “Collateral damage is a cancer that fuels terrorism instead of controlling it,” he said during an address at the High Court Bar Association in Peshawar.
He stressed that the protection of innocent lives must be a top priority for all law enforcement agencies, referencing Quranic teachings that the killing of one innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity. Afridi added that he had spoken to Speaker Babar Saleem Swati about initiating a law that would hold those responsible for unnecessary civilian deaths accountable.
Parliamentary Committee Pushes for Peace and Consensus
The Special Parliamentary Committee on Security, formed on September 8, held a four-hour meeting at the assembly premises, attended by representatives from both treasury and opposition benches. The committee emphasized unity and political consensus as essential for restoring lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Participants, including members from all major political parties, agreed to support any sincere government initiative for peace and urged for an early multi-party conference to address the law and order situation. The chief minister assured the committee that his government would “own and implement” its recommendations to ensure stability and protect citizens’ rights.
A Step Toward Justice and Peace
Afridi’s stance marks a rare moment of political clarity in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. His remarks underscore the growing demand for transparency, accountability, and humane conduct in security operations across the province.
