Author: Sudhir Ahmad Afridi

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Aur Din Mehsud, president of the Tribal Union of Journalists, condemned in strong terms the reported harassment of journalists during coverage of a protest in Bara, calling it an open attack on press freedom. Speaking on the incident, Mehsud described the actions of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel — including brandishing firearms, assaulting journalists, damaging their vehicle, and detaining them — as illegal and a serious attempt to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties. He stressed that journalists are the eyes and ears of society, and such treatment is unacceptable. The union expressed full solidarity…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: The District Press Club Khyber has convened an emergency meeting after senior journalist Farhad Shinwari allegedly received threats from organised human smuggling networks following his investigative reporting. According to a statement issued by Press Club President Aman Ali Shinwari and General Secretary Hijrat Ali Afridi, the meeting will be held on Tuesday to discuss the threats and the use of abusive language against the journalist on social media. They said Shinwari’s investigative reports had exposed organised human smuggling allegedly being carried out under the cover of sports activities. The officials stated that Shinwari had…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: In a significant border enforcement operation at the Torkham crossing, customs officials seized 30 kilograms of silver, estimated to be worth millions of rupees. The recovery came during a routine inspection of vehicles returning from Afghanistan, carried out under special instructions from Customs Collector Ghulam Mustafa and Assistant Collector Amir Hamza Cheema. The team, comprising Abdul Jabbar, Kashif, Zaman Sattar Khan, Mashqat Shah, and Sanaullah, used an import scanner to thoroughly examine a seemingly empty truck, ultimately uncovering the precious cargo concealed within. Customs sources confirmed that the silver, along with the vehicle, has been…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Political and social figures in Khyber district have called for an immediate reversal of a proposed reduction in COMNet staff, warning that the move could undermine polio eradication and routine immunization efforts in the high-risk border region. The demand was made at a press conference held at the District Press Club Khyber in Landi Kotal. Local representatives said the communication workforce was essential for persuading communities, countering vaccine refusals, and supporting field teams. Speakers, including Murad Hussain Afridi, president of the Khyber Political Alliance, highlighted the district’s proximity to the Torkham border crossing and its…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: A delegation from Landi Kotal, led by President of the Khyber Political Union, Murad Hussain Afridi, visited the Governor House in Peshawar and held an important meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to discuss the key issues and challenges faced by the local population. The delegation included Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari, Shahid Shinwari, Malik Khalid, Malik Abdul Razaq, Malik Masal Khan Shinwari, Malik Tajuddin Shinwari, Akhtar Ali Shinwari (President of Landi Kotal Welfare Organization), Yusuf Afridi, Zakir Shinwari, Saeed Shinwari, Sattar Afghan, Gul Dad Shah Afridi, Maulana Aqib, Maulana Azimullah, Hamid Afridi,…

The chief minister insisted that the Tirah displacement was neither voluntary nor justified, denouncing it as a forced, orchestrated move the provincial government could never endorse By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Soheil Afridi announced three major decisions regarding the situation in Tirah valley while addressing the Khyber Peace Jirga at Jamrud Sports Ground, where thousands of participants endorsed his statements by a show of hands. The chief minister said the displacement of people from Tirah was not voluntary but carried out under a forced and organized plan, which the provincial government did not accept under any…

By Sudhir Ahmad AfridiPESHAWAR: The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi, formally wrote to the prime minister of Pakistan to express serious concern over the continued non-payment of constitutionally mandated federal funds to the province.The chief minister said the persistent failure of the federal government to ensure the timely and full release of monthly allocations under the NFC award, net hydel profit, oil and gas royalties, and funds earmarked for the merged districts had pushed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a severe financial and administrative crisis.He said the provincial budget for the financial year 2025–26 had been prepared entirely…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi LANDI KOTAL: A public jirga organized by the Khyber Political Alliance was held at the Railway Station Ground in Landi Kotal, where a large number of political and social leaders, tribal elders, local government representatives and people from different walks of life participated. The central agenda of the jirga was to deliberate on the problems facing Tehsil Landi Kotal and to explore sustainable solutions. Addressing the gathering, speakers said the problems of Landi Kotal had reached an alarming level. They said the prolonged closure of the Pak-Afghan border at Torkham had severely affected the livelihoods…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: A meeting of the Fata Loya Jirga cabinet was held in Shah Kas, Jamrud, under the chairmanship of tribal elder Bismillah Khan Qabaeeli, with members from all tribal districts, including the former Fata areas, in attendance. The meeting discussed in detail the displacement caused by an alleged operation in the Tirah valley and the serious difficulties faced by affected residents. Participants, including Malik Bismillah, Malik Khan Marjan, Malik Abdul Razzaq Afridi, Malik Wilayat Shah, Malik Fazlur Rehman and general secretary Azam Jan Mehsud, strongly criticized the performance of the provincial and federal governments over the…

By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi KHYBER: Political activity in District Khyber has gained fresh momentum with the official reactivation of the Khyber Political Alliance and the formation of a new cabinet for the next six months. Alliance leaders reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts, mutual cooperation, and presenting a united voice on regional issues. They also announced plans to convene a large public jirga. The key meeting took place at the District Press Club in Landi Kotal, with active participation from leaders and representatives of various political parties. Discussions focused on serious regional challenges, problems facing local citizens, and the reorganization…