Islamabad, January 27, 2026: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday clarified that there is no military operation underway in Tirah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing recent population movements in the valley as a routine and historically established practice. He made these remarks during a press conference in Islamabad, flanked by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan.
The press briefing followed controversy over the evacuation of hundreds of Tirah residents ahead of an alleged military action, which had sparked disputes between the federal and provincial governments. Asif emphasized that the migration plan was agreed upon by local elders, the provincial government, and the military, and was not indicative of any ongoing operation.
He noted that banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members, estimated at 400–500, have been residing in Tirah with their families, but said the armed forces were not involved in the civilian relocation. The Defence Minister pointed out that the provincial government had approved a Rs4 billion package to support the temporary and voluntary movement of residents.
Asif reiterated that intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been the preferred method of counter-terrorism in the area for years, as they reduce collateral damage, and that no full-scale military operation has been conducted recently. He stressed that migration in Tirah is a seasonal practice due to the valley’s climate and topography, with historical records dating back to the British era.
The Defence Minister also criticized the KP government for failing to provide hospitals, schools, and police stations in the valley, claiming that local law enforcement is virtually absent. He further highlighted the role of hemp cultivation on over 12,000 acres in Tirah, alleging that profits from the crop benefit political actors and the TTP. Measures are being taken, he said, to ensure the community benefits from the harvest through the construction of schools and hospitals.
Asif accused the KP government of politicizing the migration issue, claiming it sought to shift blame for administrative failures onto the federal government and military. He maintained that the relocation was voluntary, coordinated with local jirgas, and not forced by the authorities.
Information Minister Tarar added that seasonal migration in Tirah is historically documented among the Afridi and Akakhel tribes, while PM’s aide Wali alleged that some funds approved by the provincial government were being misused and hinted that displaced residents might be used to support political protests.
Addressing concerns about extreme winter conditions, Asif and Tarar said that climate change has shifted snowfall patterns, with late-January snow now prompting migration, unlike in previous decades when snowfall began in November.
In conclusion, the Defence Minister reaffirmed that no military operation is ongoing in Tirah, intelligence-based operations continue against TTP elements, and the federal government is committed to supporting the welfare of the local population.
