Tirah Valley: Federal and KP governments reject authorising operation

WEB DESK: In a significant development amid reports of displacement in Khyber district’s Tirah Valley, both the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have firmly denied authorising any military operation in the area.

The clarification came during a hearing at the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday, where a two-member bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali took up a petition filed by Barrister Saud Javed Dawar of the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

Petitioner Barrister Dawar, represented by counsel Mohammad Yaseen Orakzai, urged the court to declare any purported military action and related orders as unconstitutional, illegal, and in violation of fundamental rights. He argued that no such operation could proceed without a resolution from the KP Assembly under Article 232 and parliamentary approval.

KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel categorically stated that the provincial government had not granted permission for any military operation. He highlighted Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s public denial and noted that the province was actively supporting displaced residents, including approval of Rs4 billion for relief efforts. The AG committed to filing a detailed response on the constitutional questions raised.

From the federal side, Additional Attorney General Sanaullah, backed by a written reply from the interior secretary, emphasized that the Ministry of Interior had neither initiated, directed, nor supervised any operation in Tirah. The reply invoked Article 245 of the Constitution, which allows deployment of armed forces in aid of civil power without requiring an emergency proclamation, provincial assembly resolution, or parliamentary nod.

The bench directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to submit a comprehensive report within one week detailing facilities and aid provided to internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tirah. To verify government claims of financial and material support, representatives of the affected families have been summoned for the next hearing on February 12.

The case underscores growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Tirah, where heavy snowfall and security dynamics have triggered large-scale movement of residents. While both governments maintain no formal large-scale operation has been sanctioned, the court proceedings highlight demands for transparency, accountability, and robust support for those displaced.