Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif focused on governance, security, and financial matters. He stressed that no political issues were discussed, despite widespread speculation.
The meeting in Islamabad lasted over an hour. It was Afridi’s first official discussion with the prime minister since he took office on October 13 last year. The session also included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, and KP Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam.
Afridi Raises Governance and Security Issues
After the meeting, Afridi told journalists that Rs2,600 billion allocated for the merged tribal districts of KP had remained blocked. Therefore, he personally raised the matter with the prime minister. “The prime minister has directed the release of these funds,” Afridi confirmed.
Meanwhile, Afridi addressed the province’s security situation. He stressed that terrorism affects no single province or country and thus must be tackled as a national challenge. He announced that officials will hold a follow-up meeting after Eid to discuss terrorism and related security matters in detail. In addition, he said, “We are speaking openly and presenting our position clearly.”
Afridi also dismissed rumors about political discussions. Specifically, he said the meeting did not cover Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan or his sisters. He reiterated that the session focused strictly on governance, security, and financial issues.
Regarding finances, Afridi described the International Monetary Fund’s report on Rs5,300 billion as a “charge sheet,” highlighting serious shortcomings. Moreover, he criticized the allocation of Rs4 billion for conflict-hit tribal regions such as Tirah, Kurram, and Bajaur, noting that it was insufficient given the sacrifices of local communities.
Prime Minister Emphasizes Federal-Provincial Coordination
Following the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and provincial governments to maintain peace, stability, and development. Furthermore, he urged provincial institutions to strengthen their capacity to combat terrorism effectively. Both governments will continue joint efforts to eliminate militancy fully.
The Prime Minister also reminded officials to fulfill their constitutional duties. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding public welfare and maintaining law and order. Additionally, he promised full federal support for projects in education, health, employment, and infrastructure.
He highlighted that KP remains a key pillar of the federation. He stressed that close coordination and effective communication are essential to advancing development projects.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the commitment of both governments to serve the people of KP. Officials stressed that transparency, collaboration, and targeted development will remain top priorities moving forward. Ultimately, the session reinforced that governance and security take precedence over politics in the province.
