‘Pakistan Army is playing dirty with Pakhtoon blood’: KP CM lashes out at DG ISPR during Peshawar rally

A major show of political defiance erupted in Peshawar as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and opposition groups held a massive public rally in support of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. According to CNN-News18, the gathering quickly shifted from a solidarity event into one of the strongest public confrontations against Pakistan’s military establishment in recent months. The protest was led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Speaking before a large crowd, Afridi launched a direct attack on Pakistan’s security strategy in the province. He argued that years of military operations had failed to bring peace and stability to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Peace has not been established in 20 years because of the failure of Pakistan military policies,” he said. He added that “for 21 years, operations have been conducted, yet peace remains a distant dream.”

Afridi further alleged that the province had suffered because of the actions of security forces, accusing them of causing civilian harm in the name of counterterrorism. “The Pakistan Army is playing dirty with Pakhtoon blood,” he declared. “Innocent Pakhtoons are being killed in the name of security operations.”

CNN-News18 reported that Afridi’s most pointed remarks were directed at the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR). The chief minister accused the military spokesperson of building a “negative narrative” against Imran Khan. “Don’t develop a negative narrative against Imran Khan; you are a liar,” Afridi said. He warned the spokesperson against insulting the Pashtun community. “I am a Pakhtoon, don’t use wrong words against me or any Pakhtoon. Don’t protect fake government parties. You are a military spokesperson, not theirs.”

Afridi also challenged the military spokesperson to stop speaking indirectly. “Have the dare to take Imran Khan’s name directly,” he added.

The chief minister cautioned the establishment against escalating the situation, claiming the KP government was operating within constitutional limits. “Don’t push us to confrontation, we are fulfilling all legal and constitutional obligations,” he said.

Rally warns against Governor’s Rule

At the event, PTI leaders and opposition allies vowed to continue their campaign for what they described as the rights of the Pakistani people and the restoration of democracy. The loudest response from the crowd came when Afridi warned against Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “If the federal government and military establishment impose Governor Raj in KP, we will hit the streets, and they can’t stop us,” he stated.

A rare public challenge to the military

The jalsa marked an uncommon moment in Pakistan’s politics, where a sitting chief minister openly criticised the military leadership. According to CNN-News18, the rally highlights a widening rift between PTI, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, and the country’s powerful establishment as legal and political pressures on the party continue.

With the Peshawar rally sending a strong message, Pakistan may be entering a more confrontational and unpredictable political phase, especially in the KP region where PTI maintains strong street support.