Islamabad, November 23, 2025: Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ikhtiar Wali, launched a fierce attack on Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday, alleging that large-scale narcotics production is taking place in the CM’s own constituency and accusing him of failing to take action.
Addressing a press conference, Wali claimed that drug factories were operating openly in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district, and said no chief minister “has the moral authority to stay in office when narcotics are being manufactured in his own constituency.”
He alleged that members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were involved in the narcotics trade and demanded an immediate crackdown across the district.
Wali warned that the proceeds of the drug trade were far more dangerous than a criminal enterprise, arguing that the funds were being used for terrorism, arms production and cross-border smuggling.
“This dirty money is used directly against the state,” he said.
He added that he had previously appealed to CM Afridi to dismantle drug smuggling routes originating in Khyber, but instead of taking action, the chief minister “denied the problem” and had his information minister hold a press conference claiming that reports of narcotics activity were exaggerated or unfounded.
The PM’s coordinator insisted that the scale of drug production and trafficking in Khyber constitutes a serious national security threat, and reiterated his demand for Afridi’s resignation, saying a chief minister whose constituency hosts such operations “should step down without delay.”
Sohail Afridi, nominated by PTI founder Imran Khan, was elected as the new KP chief minister on October 8, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur. His appointment has been controversial within government circles, particularly due to allegations regarding his past conduct.
Following Wali’s remarks, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar held a joint press conference, accusing PTI of harbouring sympathies for extremists.
He said Afridi’s nomination reflects the party’s “soft corner for terrorists,” adding that the sacrifices of the nation “will go in vain if such a person is made chief minister.”
Tarar also alleged that Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, is the “chief sponsor of terrorists,” and claimed that CM Afridi faces several criminal cases, describing him as a “criminal-minded individual.”
The PTI leadership has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations levelled by Ikhtiar Wali and Attaullah Tarar. However, party leaders have previously dismissed such accusations as politically motivated.
