In his first meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasised the need for cooperation between the Centre and the KP government.
The two leaders met at the PM House in Islamabad. During the meeting, which CM Afridi said was held at the premier’s invitation, the two discussed issues related to KP’s finances and counterterrorism.
According to a statement reported by state broadcaster PTV News, the prime minister stressed the need for cooperation between the Centre and the provincial government for the progress and prosperity of KP’s people.
“Close and effective communication between the Centre and the provinces is indispensable for national progress and public service,” the premier was quoted as saying.
PM Shehbaz assured CM Afridi of the Centre’s cooperation as per its jurisdiction for KP’s development projects, infrastructure improvement, education, health and job opportunities.
The prime minister termed the KP government’s cooperation in establishing peace in the province as “unavoidable”.
“There is a need to improve the provincial government’s efforts to establish law and order,” he said, urging the KP government to strengthen provincial departments to counter terrorism.
Affirming that both the Centre and the provincial government would continue their efforts to combat militancy, PM Shehbaz said the KP administration should fulfil its constitutional duties to ensure peace and public welfare.
“The provincial government is empowered. Steps should be taken for the health and education of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s people. The federal government has always been striving for the betterment of the KP’s people,” he was quoted as saying.
Noting that KP was an “important unit” of the federation, PM Shehbaz assured CM Afridi that the Centre would “continue its full efforts in accordance with its jurisdiction” for the public’s prosperity.
Highlighting that the federal government was determined to work with all provinces, the prime minister said, “The targets of national unity, stability and prosperity can be achieved effectively through mutual consultation and collaboration.”
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam were also present during the meeting.
Pending funds among other issues discussed: KP CM
Speaking to the media after their interaction, CM Afridi termed the meeting a “demand of his role”.
Noting that the premier had invited him, the chief minister said he expressed his condolences over the recent spate of attacks in Balochistan and condemned the terrorist act.
“We have always condemned terrorism wherever it has taken place and we will also condemn it in the future,” he asserted.
Asked about a “clarity” in his condemnation of the Balochistan attacks, the KP CM affirmed he had always had that clarity.
“Terrorism has no province or country or religion, and whoever carries out terrorism, we all should condemn it as a Pakistani,” he said.
“Issues concerning our province — whether it is the NFC (National Finance Commission), the CRBC (Chashma Right Bank Canal), NHP (Net Hydel Profit payments) or our other pending funds due on the Centre — were discussed,” Afridi said.
He further said that a “joint course of action” to combat terrorism was also discussed.
The PTI leader said no discussions were held regarding him being denied meetings with party founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
“There were no talks on anything political,” he said.
The chief minister asserted that the KP government had provided Rs26bn from its fund in the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).
Afridi said PM Shehbaz issued directives to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to meet Adviser to the KP CM on Finance Muzzammil Aslam later on Monday and make “every possible effort to solve these issues”.
“After this, two to three more meetings will be held,” the PTI leader said, adding that “one to two” meetings would be convened on counter-terrorism as well. “When decisions will be taken, they will be made public to you.”
“Perhaps as a political worker, I would never have sat there. But I deemed it appropriate for my people and my province, where the conditions are getting serious — whether financially or due to decisions made in closed rooms,” he said, adding that the meeting was necessary.
Asked whether the issue of displacement in Tirah or the Rs4bn corruption allegations made against his government were discussed, the KP CM alleged that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had issued a “charge-sheet” against the federal government for corruption to the tune of Rs5,300 billion, referring to its report issued in November.
“Rs4bn is a small amount. They are nothing compared to the sacrifices that my people in Tirah, Kurram and Bajaur are giving,” the chief minister said, adding that objecting to that amount was akin to “dismissing those sacrifices”.
In a post on X shortly after 12pm, PTI’s North Punjab chapter confirmed that CM Afridi had reached the PM House.
Excellent coordination needed between Centre, KP: Muqam
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Muqam welcomed the meeting. “Better late than never,” he quipped.
Noting that the KP CM was also invited previously but he did not come, the minister underscored the need for “excellent coordination” between the Centre and the province.
According to Muqam, it was agreed during the meeting that such communication should be maintained. He further said the point that “speaking against institutions was not right” was also brought up.
Pointing out that the people of KP were badly affected by terrorism, he called for politics to be kept aside and a “collective stance” adopted against militancy.
On CM Afridi’s complaints regarding pending funds, the minister said the federal government had paid all such amounts but if there were differences, they should be sorted out through talks.
Muqam further said it was agreed that there should be consensus between the Centre and KP. The minister also said no political matter, including Imran, was discussed.
Sanaullah divulges details of meeting
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that the meeting between the premier and CM Afridi was held in a “good manner”.
“PM Shehbaz gave Sohail Afridi a very warm welcome,” he said, saying: “Both sides reviewed and exchanged views on law and order, terrorism, and the counter-terrorism department (CTD) in KP.”
According to Sanaullah, PM Shehbaz said that civil law enforcement agencies must play an equal part with the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
“CM Afridi assured that the provincial government will play its role in the fight against terrorism, and shared his plans for expanding CTD and funds approved for it,” he added.
Sanaullah said that PM Shehbaz responded to some of CM Afridi’s questions regarding the funds for his province and then directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to sit with chief minister’s team and resolve the matter.
“PM Shehbaz said the amount agreed between both teams will be immediately transferred,” Sanaullah said.
According to Sanaullah, PM Shehbaz had made it clear at the beginning of the meeting that they were sitting for Pakistan and their constitutional roles, setting political affairs aside.
“CM Afridi didn’t request a meeting with Imran Khan, nor did he ask for anything else, which was a good gesture,” he said.
KP CM’s attitude must change: Tallal Chaudhry
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said that the meeting between the prime minister and CM Afridi should have happened before.
He emphasised that without coordination between the Centre and a province, the people of that province suffer.
“Better late than never,” Chaudhry remarked, adding: “It was good that they (PM Shehbaz and CM Afridi) met.”
Asked whether the KP CM’s attitude towards the Centre should change, the minister replied in the affirmative.
“It should, otherwise the people of his province would grab his collar. In 13 years of your government in the province, what have you given them? Slogans, songs? Nothing else,“ he remarked.
Responding to another query, the state minister said the National Assembly speaker’s office was open for talks, and a special committee formed for that purpose was also present.
He noted that the opposition had previously abandoned the talks one-sidedly.
When asked about the possibility of allowing Imran — who recently underwent a procedure for an eye ailment — to travel abroad for medical treatment, Chaudhry denied the need for it, saying the PTI founder was “absolutely fine”.
‘Outstanding dues’
Since becoming the chief minister in October last year, CM Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of stalling the release of funds allocated for KP.
The meeting comes a week after the KP CM wrote a letter to PM Shehbaz over what he dubbed the Centre’s “persistent failure” to release “constitutionally guaranteed” funds allocated for KP, particularly those committed for the merged districts under the NFC.
Contending that the lack of funds had “now translated into an acute fiscal and governance crisis for the province”, Afridi had demanded the “full and unconditional” release of all outstanding federal dues.
The KP CM maintained that his province was entitled to receive Rs658.4 billion under the NFC, but it had received just Rs604bn so far, leading to a shortfall of Rs54.4bn.
Addressing a jirga in Khyber on Sunday, the chief minister had said he was set to meet the premier in Islamabad on Monday to “plead the case of KP’s rights and secure our outstanding dues”.
PTI views meeting positively
Further, PTI’s joint parliamentary committee expressed the hope that the meeting between PM Shehbaz and CM Afridi would resolve issues faced by KP.
The committee held a meeting on Monday, attended by KP CM Afridi, PTI leader Amir Dogar, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and party leaders Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar, among others.
The meeting discussed the country’s overall political, security, and provincial situation and urged the federal government to immediately release all outstanding dues to KP, particularly under the NFC award, to enable practical solutions to the problems faced by the people of the province.
It also emphasised that the federation must fulfil its constitutional responsibilities in that regard.
The participants also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and extended their heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the martyrs.
The committee expressed concerns over reports about the health of PTI founder and former premier Imran Khan, which caused widespread anxiety among people across the country.
It was demanded that Imran be given immediate and unhindered access to his personal physicians and that meetings with him be restored without delay.
Additionally, the meeting endorsed the decisions of the KP jirga and called upon all relevant institutions to play an active role in establishing sustainable peace in the tribal districts and ensuring the effective resolution of public issues.
Moreover, to ensure the effectiveness of the shutter-down and wheel-jam strike scheduled for February 8, the meeting decided to further intensify the street movement.
The committee reiterated that the public mandate was stolen during the general election on February 8, 2024, and that people across the country will close their businesses and record their protest.
They also condemned the arrests of party workers and raids on their homes in Sindh and Punjab, stating that such tactics were a blatant violation of democracy, the Constitution and fundamental human rights, deeming them unacceptable.
Additional input from Ikram Junaidi
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