ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar has criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over its recent directive to initiate legal action against journalists and critics of the provincial administration.
In a post on X, Tarar slammed the KP government, saying that when defending performance is no longer possible, attacks on the media begin.
The minister questioned the performance of the KP government and said the people of the province deserve answers regarding the increase in terrorism, stalled development projects, lack of investment, and growing unemployment among youth.
جب کارکردگی کا دفاع ممکن نہ رہے تو میڈیا پر حملے شروع ہو جاتے ہیں۔
خیبر پختونخوا کے عوام یہ جاننا چاہتے ہیں کہ دہشت گردی کیوں بڑھ رہی ہے، ترقیاتی منصوبے کیوں رکے ہوئے ہیں، سرمایہ کاری کیوں نہیں آ رہی اور نوجوان روزگار کے لیے کیوں پریشان ہیں۔
ان سوالات کا جواب دینے کے بجائے… https://t.co/zwzD64cl7r
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) May 21, 2026
“Instead of answering these questions, holding journalists accountable is an escape from reality,” he wrote on X.
“The media does not create issues; it only brings them before the public,” he remarked, adding that democratic governments should respond to criticism with facts and performance rather than intimidation.
Sohail Afridi orders to curb press freedom
The statement came after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi instructed government officials to take immediate legal action against journalists and organizations who criticize the government.
In a move against freedom of expression and journalistic rights, the provincial government has decided that legal action will be taken against those who criticise the government, point out alleged corruption, or commit any kind of character assassination.
Sohail Afridi, during the meeting of the provincial cabinet today, ordered all government departments and administrative officers to initiate legal proceedings within three days against any journalist, media outlet, or citizen who levels ‘allegations’ of corruption or misconduct without what the government terms ‘solid evidence’.
Under this decision, written instructions have been issued to all government departments and administrative officers on an emergency basis.
The Chief Minister has warned the bureaucrats and secretaries of the government department that if action is not taken within the stipulated time, he himself will take strict action against the concerned authorities and negligent officers.
According to the government, legitimate criticism and raising questions are the democratic right of every citizen, but the government’s reputation will not be allowed to be damaged under the guise of false propaganda and baseless allegations.
