Sohail Afridi, chief minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, says he would urge the Taliban to stop cross-border attacks, telling them that both sides as Pashtuns, Muslims and neighbours must cease hostilities. He added that his loyalty lies fully with Pakistan.

According to Insaf, a Peshawar-based newspaper, Afridi told reporters on Sunday that if the Taliban did not accept such an appeal, he would have “justified reasons” for taking a firm stance. He said Pakistan “belongs to us as much as we belong to Pakistan,” noting that his objections relate only to certain policies that need to be changed.

Afridi stressed that Pakistan is his country and that it is the responsibility of the national parliament and government to determine policies in the national interest. He said all issues can be resolved through dialogue and that political leaders have always emphasised negotiations.

Afridi, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was elected chief minister in October after Ali Amin Gandapur stepped down on the direction of the party leadership.