Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held his first official meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, underscoring the need for close coordination between the federal and provincial governments and stressing that cooperation is vital for the province’s peace and prosperity.
The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi first met in a one-on-one session. This was followed by a delegation-level meeting in which matters between the federation and the province were discussed in detail.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam were also present during the talks.
According to a communiqué, the meeting focused on key governance and security issues facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime minister emphasized that harmony between the federation and the province is indispensable for sustainable development. He described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as an important unit of the federation and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the province’s progress.
Cooperation essential for peace and order
Prime Minister Sharif said cooperation between the federal and provincial governments is essential for maintaining peace and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed that the provincial government’s efforts need to be further intensified to ensure lasting stability.
He added that strong coordination is necessary to effectively respond to security challenges in the province.
The PM urged the KP government to strengthen provincial institutions to counter terrorism more effectively. He said the federal and provincial governments will continue joint efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country.
According to him, the KP government must fulfill its constitutional responsibility to establish peace, maintain law and order and ensure public welfare.
Health, education, public welfare
Shehbaz said the provincial government is fully empowered and should take concrete steps to improve health and education for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He assured continued federal cooperation to enhance public services and quality of life in the province.
He noted that the federal government has always strived for the betterment of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and will continue to do so within its constitutional jurisdiction.
The PM assured full cooperation for development projects and the improvement of infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also pledged federal support, in line with the constitutional framework, to expand education, health and employment opportunities in the province.
He said the federal government is pursuing a vision of taking all provinces together and ensuring uniform development across the country.
Call for unity, consultation
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that close ties and effective communication between the federation and the provinces are indispensable for national development and public service. He said national unity, stability and prosperity can only be achieved through mutual consultation and cooperation.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said provincial concerns were discussed openly and placed before the government. He added that Rs26 billion has already been invested and spent on development projects in the former FATA regions, underlining the scale of financial commitments made for the merged districts.
Condemnation of Balochistan incident
During his media interaction after the meeting, Afridi said the Balochistan incident was strongly condemned in the talks. He stressed that terrorism has no religion, no country and no province.
“All people should realize the sacrifices being made,” he said, emphasizing national unity in the fight against terrorism.
Chief Minister Afridi said the prime minister issued instructions to hold further meetings to resolve outstanding issues. He confirmed that the planning minister has been directed to sit down and hold discussions starting today.
KP Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam termed the outcome positive, saying, “Good news, progress has been made,” indicating forward movement after the meeting.
No political issues or negotiations discussed
Sohail Afridi clarified that no political issues were discussed during the meeting. He said there was no talk about any negotiations or about any meeting with the founder of PTI.
“This meeting was a requirement of the position,” the KP chief minister said, adding that all discussions remained focused on governance and provincial matters.
Addressing financial concerns, CM Afridi said the issue was not Rs4 billion but Rs5,300 billion, which should be brought to the fore. He stressed that no accusations were being made, adding that this assessment had been conveyed by the IMF.
He reiterated that all matters were clearly presented before the federal government during the meeting.
Afridi said more meetings between the federation and the province will now take place. He added that if any decisions are made, they will be shared with the public at the appropriate time.
