‘No Political Talks’: PM Shehbaz, CM Afridi Discuss KP’s Financial, Security Challenges

Premier Calls for Strong Centre–KP Coordination in Meeting with Chief Minister

CM Afridi Says PM Directs Release of Pending KP Funds 

Hamid Khan Wazir

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held an important meeting, with discussions centered on KP’s finances and counterterrorism issues, while political issues remained off the agenda.

The two leaders met at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Monday amid rising tensions between the federal and provincial governments over security and the displacement of residents from Tirah Valley. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, was their first since Afridi assumed office as the provincial chief executive on October 13 last year.

During the meeting, the PM stressed the need for cooperation between the Centre and the KP government. The premier reaffirmed that KP was an important unit of the federation, and that the federal government will continue its full support for the province’s development and the well-being of its citizens.

Prime Minister's Adviser to Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam and Adviser to the KP government on finance, Muzzammil Aslam, attended the meeting.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a statement, stating that the PM underscored the importance of federal-provincial coordination for the welfare and development of the people.

PM said that collaboration was indispensable for maintaining law and order in the province and that the provincial government must further strengthen its efforts to ensure peace and stability.

The statement added that provincial institutions should be empowered to combat terrorism effectively, and federal and provincial governments will continue joint efforts to eliminate militancy completely.

The premier also emphasised that the provincial government should fulfill its constitutional responsibility for the welfare of the people and the maintenance of law and order in KP.

Regarding governance and development, he noted that the provincial government was empowered to take measures for education, health, and public welfare in the province, and that the federal government has always strived to improve the lives of the people of KP.

The statement further highlighted that close coordination and effective communication between the federal and provincial governments are imperative, and the PM assured cooperation in developmental projects and infrastructure improvements across the province.

On employment, health, and education, the PM pledged support within the federal framework to expand opportunities for the people of KP.

CM Afridi calls PM Meeting a ‘Demand of His Role,’

Talking to the media after the meeting, CM Afridi described it as a “demand of his role,” noting that he had attended at the Prime Minister’s invitation.

CM Afridi stated that the meeting focused solely on security and financial issues facing the province, with no political matters discussed. He clarified that there were no discussions regarding any denial of his meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, nor were any matters concerning a meeting between Khan and his sisters addressed. “There were no talks on anything political,” he added.

“Issues concerning our province — including the National Finance Commission (NFC), Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC), Net Hydel Profit (NHP) payments, and other pending funds from the Centre — were discussed,” CM Afridi said. He stated that a joint course of action to combat terrorism was also deliberated.

The Chief Minister noted that the KP government had allocated Rs26 billion from its own funds for the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP). He said PM Shehbaz directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to meet KP Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam later on Monday to make every possible effort to resolve these issues.

“Following this, two to three more meetings will be held, including one or two focused on counter-terrorism. Decisions taken will be made public,” Afridi added.

“Perhaps as a political worker, I would never have sat there, but I deemed it necessary for my people and my province, given the serious conditions,” he said.

When asked about displacement in Tirah or the Rs4 billion corruption allegations against his government, Afridi alleged that the IMF had issued a ‘charge-sheet’ against the federal government for Rs5,300 billion in its November report. “Rs4 billion is a small amount compared to the sacrifices of our people in Tirah, Kurram, and Bajaur. Objecting to that amount would be akin to dismissing those sacrifices,” he emphasized.

CM Afridi also expressed condolences over the recent attacks in Balochistan and strongly condemned the terrorist acts. “We have always condemned terrorism wherever it occurs and will continue to do so,” he said.

On questions about clarity in his condemnation of the Balochistan attacks, Afridi affirmed that he had always been clear, adding: “Terrorism has no province, country, or religion. Whoever carries out such acts, we must condemn them as Pakistanis.”

Better Late Than Never: Muqam

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam welcomed the discussions, quipping, “Better late than never.” He noted that the KP CM had been invited to previous meetings but had not attended, and underscored the need for excellent coordination between the Centre and the province.

Muqam revealed that it was agreed during the meeting that such communication should be maintained consistently.

Highlighting the impact of terrorism on the people of KP, Muqam called for politics to be set aside and a collective stance against militancy to be adopted.

Regarding CM Afridi’s complaints over pending funds, the minister said the federal government had released all due amounts, but any remaining differences should be resolved through dialogue. He further noted that consensus between the Centre and KP was agreed upon and confirmed that no political matters, including issues related to Imran Khan, were discussed.

Since assuming office in October last year, CM Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of delaying the release of funds allocated for KP. The meeting comes a week after he wrote to PM Shehbaz over the Centre’s “persistent failure” to release constitutionally guaranteed funds, particularly those earmarked for the merged districts under the NFC.

The KP CM maintained that the province is entitled to Rs658.4 billion under the NFC, but had received just Rs604 billion, leaving a shortfall of Rs54.4 billion.