K-P CM ready for talks on provincial issues

Says negotiations for release of PTI founder would require a conducive political environment

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said he is ready to hold talks with state institutions to address provincial issues and strengthen working relations, even though Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has not assigned him the responsibility of holding talks with the establishment.

Speaking during one-on-one meetings with senior journalists in Peshawar, Afridi said that 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 hold talks with the establishment on provincial issues and to improve relations for the sake of governance,” the chief minister said.

Talks of 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 head Mahmood Khan Achakzai, accepted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for dialogue.

K-P chief minister has adopted a different tone, not only expressing agreement to the dialogues but also saying he would meet Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir if an official ceremony or meeting takes place. However, he also expressed concern that he has not been allowed to meet the PTI founder, stressing that the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law must prevail in the country.

Afridi said negotiations for the release of the PTI founder would require a conducive political environment. He urged PTI leadership to re-enter the political arena with resolve, 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.

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Highlighting financial grievances with the federal government, Afridi said that Peshawar would be developed, but not “in the manner 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 Programme (AIP) for merged tribal districts, adding that only Rs168 billion had been paid over several years. Including net hydel profit and other dues, he claimed, the federal government owed K-P more than Rs4 trillion. Of the Rs1,000 billion allocated for merged districts, more than Rs700 billion remains unpaid, he mentioned.

He said funds received from the Centre would be spent in an organised manner in the merged districts, arguing that development would help eliminate militancy. Afridi described law and order as his government’s biggest challenge and said efforts were underway to stabilise the situation.

Afridi said his visits to Lahore and the planned visit to Karachi were intended to mobilise public support for the PTI founder’s release, adding that Imran Khan was a leader of the entire country, not just K-P. The chief minister reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, stating that transparency, merit, development and accountability were its core principles.

Addressing displacement in areas such as Tirah, Afridi said compensation for displaced persons would be paid by the provincial government. He reaffirmed opposition to military operations, saying a grand jirga convened by the provincial assembly had also rejected such operations.

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Criticising media reporting, Afridi urged journalists to verify information before publication. He said propaganda was being spread about the lack of facilities in schools and hospitals and accused opponents of attributing 75 years of deprivation in the merged districts to his government. He added that conditions would improve if the federal government cleared outstanding dues.

On energy issues, Afridi said his administration was reviewing transmission lines, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) liabilities and ways to resolve the long-standing net hydel profit dispute with the federation. He did not rule out placing PESCO under provincial control.

Commenting on his recent visit to Lahore, Afridi apologised for using inappropriate language, calling it a reaction to what he described as mistreatment. He claimed members of his entourage were detained after his convoy passed through certain areas and said such behaviour had been anticipated in Punjab.

Afridi also confirmed that protests scheduled for February 8 would proceed regardless of parallel negotiations. The chief minister said official vehicles had been taken back from former ministers and offices sealed, while reports on the Peshawar–Dera motorway had been sought within 10 days.

He further announced that a cabinet expansion would take place soon, adding that ministers facing allegations would need to clear their names. Afridi said his government was focusing on governance and would present a performance report on its first 100 days in office.