Web Desk: A contradiction has emerged between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and statements made by its own Adviser for Information and Broadcasting, Shafi Jan. On one hand, the provincial government imposed an emergency in Tirah Valley to facilitate a relief operation, while on the other hand, Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Information, Shafi Jan, termed the move incorrect and sent a misleading letter to Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar regarding security and relief operations.
On December 26, 2025, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement issued a notification imposing an emergency in District Khyber under Section 16(A)(1) and (2) of the National Disaster Management Act, 2010. The notification, signed by Secretary Sohail Khan, was based on a report from the Deputy Commissioner of Khyber, which highlighted the possibility of temporary and voluntary displacement of residents from certain areas of Tirah (Bagh).
According to the notification, the anticipated displacement was in line with the wishes of local residents, expressed through a representative jirga held at the district level, while keeping seasonal, logistical, and ground realities in view. The purpose of the emergency was stated as facilitating transportation, food supply, temporary shelter, registration points, and other relief arrangements.
The notification authorized the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district administration to immediately initiate relief activities, with expenses to be met from the relief account and strict maintenance of financial and stock records. It clearly stated that the emergency was imposed solely for humanitarian preparedness and relief facilitation.
However, in contrast, Shafi Jan wrote a letter to the federal information minister, attempting to mislead the public by shifting responsibility for the entire operation onto the federal government. In the letter, he claimed that such relief activities disrupt economic life and lead to forced displacement, despite the fact that the provincial government itself had formally approved the operation through the December 26 notification.
He further alleged that evacuation orders were issued without consultation with the provincial government and elected leadership, forcing the province to intervene on an emergency basis, despite the notification having been issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government itself.
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Additionally, while concealing alleged corruption in funds allocated for internally displaced persons, Shafi Jan wrote that actions taken under federal authority, including relief and civil powers, made the federal government responsible for rehabilitation, relief, and compensation.
It is noteworthy that the federal government had released Rs. 4 billion for the operation, which the provincial government allegedly diverted toward political activities such as protests, rallies, and demonstrations. Now that the people of Tirah have begun demanding their rightful assistance, provincial leaders have started making excuses.
Despite this, the provincial adviser emphasized the need for constitutional balance, transparency, and alignment between policy and ground realities, stating that federal-level statements on sensitive issues such as displacement and security operations should reflect actual conditions on the ground.
The contradictory stance taken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on the Tirah Valley situation has raised serious questions about policy coordination within the province and communication between the federal and provincial governments.
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