KP CM Should Resign as Narcotics Factories Operate in His Constituency, Says PM’s Coordinator

Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ikhtiar Wali, on Sunday sharply criticized Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, stating that no CM “has the moral authority to stay in office when narcotics are being manufactured in his own constituency.”

During a press conference, Wali alleged that members of PTI were involved in narcotics operations and called for an immediate crackdown in the Khyber district. He said the provincial chief executive, hailing from the same area, had failed to act despite “drug factories openly operating in Tirah Valley.”

“The proceeds of this illicit trade fund terrorism, fuel ammunition production, and are smuggled both across Pakistan and beyond its borders. This dirty money is used directly against the state,” Wali warned. He added that he had previously urged the chief minister to dismantle drug smuggling routes, but “instead of action, CM Afridi denied the problem and even had his information minister hold a press conference claiming nothing was happening.”

Wali stressed that the scale of narcotics activity in Khyber constitutes a grave national security threat and insisted that a chief minister whose constituency hosts such operations “should step down without delay.”

The press conference was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who accused PTI of having a “soft corner for terrorists” by electing Afridi, a candidate nominated by PTI founder Imran Khan. He added, “The nation’s sacrifices will go in vain if such a person is made chief minister.” Tarar further alleged that Afridi faces multiple criminal cases and described him as a “criminal-minded individual.”

Afridi assumed office as KP chief minister on October 8, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur.