According to him, negotiations for the release of PTI founder would require a favorable political environment
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo:X
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has expressed readiness to hold talks with state institutions to resolve provincial issues and strengthen working relations, even though Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has not given him the responsibility of holding negotiations with the establishment.
Speaking in one-on-one meetings with senior journalists in Peshawar, Afridi said the PTI founder had not asked him to negotiate with the establishment. He added that the responsibility for dialogue had instead been given to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas. “I am ready to discuss with the establishment on provincial issues and improve relations in the interest of governance,” the chief minister said.
Talks on negotiations between the government and the PTI gained momentum last week when the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), in a meeting chaired by coalition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, accepted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue.
The KP Chief Minister struck a different tone, not only expressing agreement on the dialogues but also saying that he would meet Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir if any formal ceremony or meeting was held. However, he also expressed concern over not being allowed to meet the PTI founder, stressing that the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law must prevail in the country.
Afridi said negotiations for the release of the PTI founder would require a favorable political environment. He urged PTI leaders to re-enter the political arena with determination, while defending the political activism of Imran Khan’s sisters, calling it legitimate and aimed at securing his release. He also called for an immediate end to drone attacks and urged the government to formulate policies in consultation with all stakeholders, including the establishment, in line with public interest.
Read also: Cabinet clears new local system for Islamabad
Highlighting his financial grievances with the federal government, Afridi said Peshawar would be developed, but not “in the same way that Lahore has been”, where, he claimed, restrictions had been imposed on public gatherings.
He alleged that the federal government had failed to release Rs700 billion under the Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP) for the merged tribal districts, adding that only Rs168 billion had been paid over several years. Including Hydel’s net profit and other dues, he claimed, the federal government owed KP more than Rs4 trillion. Of the Rs 1 trillion allocated to the merged districts, more than Rs 700 billion remains unpaid, he mentioned.
He said the funds received from the Center would be spent in an organized manner in the merged districts, arguing that the development would help eliminate militancy. Afridi described law and order as his government’s biggest challenge and said efforts were underway to stabilize the situation.
Afridi said his visits to Lahore and the planned visit to Karachi were aimed at mobilizing public support for the release of the PTI founder, adding that Imran Khan was a leader of the entire country, not just KP. The chief minister reiterated his government’s zero tolerance policy on corruption, saying transparency, merit, development and accountability were its fundamental principles.
Regarding displacement in areas such as Tirah, Afridi said compensation for the displaced would be paid by the provincial government. He reaffirmed his opposition to military operations, saying a grand jirga convened by the provincial assembly had also rejected such operations.
Learn more: Tirah protest leader released, terrorism charges dropped
Criticizing media reports, Afridi urged journalists to verify information before publication. He said propaganda was being spread about lack of facilities in schools and hospitals and accused his opponents of blaming his government for 75 years of deprivation in the merged districts. He added that conditions would improve if the federal government settled the outstanding dues.
On energy issues, Afridi said his administration was reviewing transmission lines, responsibilities of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and ways to resolve the long-standing electricity net profit dispute with the federation. He did not rule out placing PESCO under provincial control.
Commenting on his recent visit to Lahore, Afridi apologized for using inappropriate language, calling it a reaction to what he described as mistreatment. He claimed that members of his entourage were arrested after his convoy passed through certain areas and said such behavior was expected in Punjab.
Afridi also confirmed that protests planned for February 8 would continue regardless of parallel negotiations. The chief minister said official vehicles had been taken back from former ministers and offices had been sealed, while reports on the Peshawar-Dera highway had been sought within 10 days.
He further announced that a cabinet expansion would take place soon, adding that ministers facing allegations should clear their names. Afridi said his government was focused on governance and would present a performance report on its first 100 days in office.
