Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief warns of widening rift with Pashtuns

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the policies of Pakistan’s security institutions have widened the gap between the government and Pashtun communities and fuelled concerns among this section of society.

He stressed that Pashtuns’ demands regarding security, dignity, political participation and their rights must be addressed seriously. According to him, neglecting these demands could intensify political tensions.

Afridi warned that ignoring these demands may create room for broader grievances among Pashtuns. At the same time, he said the current security policies were deepening the divide between the government and these communities.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of Pakistan’s main provinces, and Pashtuns make up a large share of its population. In recent years, the issues of security and the government’s relationship with these communities have repeatedly become a focal point of political tension in the province.