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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.<\/p>\n
The two leaders met at the PM House in Islamabad. During the meeting, which CM Afridi said was held at the premier\u2019s invitation, the two discussed issues related to KP\u2019s finances and counterterrorism.<\/p>\n
According to a statement reported by state broadcaster PTV News<\/em>, the prime minister stressed the need for cooperation between the Centre and the provincial government for the progress and prosperity of KP\u2019s people.<\/p>\n \u201cClose and effective communication between the Centre and the provinces is indispensable for national progress and public service,\u201d the premier was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n PM Shehbaz assured CM Afridi of the Centre\u2019s cooperation as per its jurisdiction for KP\u2019s development projects, infrastructure improvement, education, health and job opportunities.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The prime minister termed the KP government\u2019s cooperation in establishing peace in the province as \u201cunavoidable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a need to improve the provincial government\u2019s efforts to establish law and order,\u201d he said, urging the KP government to strengthen provincial departments to counter terrorism.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe provincial government is empowered. Steps should be taken for the health and education of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa\u2019s people. The federal government has always been striving for the betterment of the KP\u2019s people,\u201d he was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n Noting that KP was an \u201cimportant unit\u201d of the federation, PM Shehbaz assured CM Afridi that the Centre would \u201ccontinue its full efforts in accordance with its jurisdiction\u201d for the public\u2019s prosperity.<\/p>\n Highlighting that the federal government was determined to work with all provinces, the prime minister said, \u201cThe targets of national unity, stability and prosperity can be achieved effectively through mutual consultation and collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n Prime Minister\u2019s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam were also present during the meeting.<\/p>\n Speaking to the media after their interaction, CM Afridi termed the meeting a \u201cdemand of his role\u201d.<\/p>\n Noting that the premier had invited him, the chief minister said he expressed his condolences over the recent spate of attacks<\/a> in Balochistan and condemned the terrorist act.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have always condemned terrorism wherever it has taken place and we will also condemn it in the future,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n Asked about a \u201cclarity\u201d in his condemnation of the Balochistan attacks, the KP CM affirmed he had always had that clarity.<\/p>\n \u201cTerrorism has no province or country or religion, and whoever carries out terrorism, we all should condemn it as a Pakistani,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIssues concerning our province \u2014 whether it is the NFC (National Finance Commission<\/a>), the CRBC (Chashma Right Bank Canal<\/a>), NHP (Net Hydel Profit payments<\/a>) or our other pending funds due on the Centre \u2014 were discussed,\u201d Afridi said.<\/p>\n He further said that a \u201cjoint course of action\u201d to combat terrorism was also discussed.<\/p>\n The PTI leader said no discussions were held regarding him being denied meetings<\/a> with party founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Rawalpindi\u2019s Adiala jail.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were no talks on anything political,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The chief minister asserted that the KP government had provided Rs26bn from its fund in the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).<\/p>\n 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 \u201cevery possible effort to solve these issues\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter this, two to three more meetings will be held,\u201d the PTI leader said, adding that \u201cone to two\u201d meetings would be convened on counter-terrorism as well. \u201cWhen decisions will be taken, they will be made public to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps 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 \u2014 whether financially or due to decisions made in closed rooms,\u201d he said, adding that the meeting was necessary.<\/p>\n Asked whether the issue of displacement in Tirah<\/a> or the Rs4bn corruption allegations<\/a> made against his government were discussed, the KP CM alleged that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had issued a \u201ccharge-sheet\u201d against the federal government for corruption<\/a> to the tune of Rs5,300 billion, referring to its report<\/a> issued in November.<\/p>\n \u201cRs4bn is a small amount. They are nothing compared to the sacrifices that my people in Tirah, Kurram and Bajaur are giving,\u201d the chief minister said, adding that objecting to that amount was akin to \u201cdismissing those sacrifices\u201d.<\/p>\n In a post on X shortly after 12pm, PTI\u2019s North Punjab chapter confirmed that CM Afridi had reached the PM House.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Speaking to the media after the meeting, Muqam welcomed the meeting. \u201cBetter late than never,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n Noting that the KP CM was also invited previously but he did not come, the minister underscored the need for \u201cexcellent coordination\u201d between the Centre and the province.<\/p>\n According to Muqam, it was agreed during the meeting that such communication should be maintained. He further said the point that \u201cspeaking against institutions was not right\u201d was also brought up.<\/p>\n Pointing out that the people of KP were badly affected by terrorism, he called for politics to be kept aside and a \u201ccollective stance\u201d adopted against militancy.<\/p>\n On CM Afridi\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Speaking on Geo News<\/em> programme \u2018Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath\u2019<\/em>, Prime Minister\u2019s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that the meeting between the premier and CM Afridi was held in a \u201cgood manner\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPM Shehbaz gave Sohail Afridi a very warm welcome,\u201d he said, saying: \u201cBoth sides reviewed and exchanged views on law and order, terrorism, and the counter-terrorism department (CTD) in KP.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cCM 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Sanaullah said that PM Shehbaz responded to some of CM Afridi\u2019s questions regarding the funds for his province and then directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to sit with chief minister\u2019s team and resolve the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cPM Shehbaz said the amount agreed between both teams will be immediately transferred,\u201d Sanaullah said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cCM Afridi didn\u2019t request a meeting with Imran Khan, nor did he ask for anything else, which was a good gesture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He emphasised that without coordination between the Centre and a province, the people of that province suffer.<\/p>\n \u201cBetter late than never,\u201d Chaudhry remarked, adding: \u201cIt was good that they (PM Shehbaz and CM Afridi) met.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether the KP CM\u2019s attitude towards the Centre should change, the minister replied in the affirmative.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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,\u201c he remarked.<\/p>\n Responding to another query, the state minister said the National Assembly speaker\u2019s office was open for talks, and a special committee<\/a> formed for that purpose was also present.<\/p>\n He noted that the opposition had previously abandoned<\/a> the talks one-sidedly.<\/p>\n When asked about the possibility of allowing Imran \u2014 who recently underwent a procedure<\/a> for an eye ailment \u2014 to travel abroad for medical treatment, Chaudhry denied the need for it, saying the PTI founder was \u201cabsolutely fine\u201d.<\/p>\n Since becoming the chief minister in October last year, CM Afridi has repeatedly<\/u><\/a> accused the federal government of stalling the release of funds allocated for KP.<\/p>\n The meeting comes a week after the KP CM wrote a letter<\/a> to PM Shehbaz over what he dubbed the Centre\u2019s \u201cpersistent failure\u201d to release \u201cconstitutionally guaranteed\u201d funds allocated for KP, particularly those committed for the merged districts<\/a> under the NFC.<\/p>\n Contending that the lack of funds had \u201cnow translated into an acute fiscal and governance crisis for the province\u201d, Afridi had demanded the \u201cfull and unconditional\u201d release of all outstanding federal dues.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Addressing a jirga in Khyber on Sunday, the chief minister had said<\/a> he was set to meet the premier in Islamabad on Monday to \u201cplead the case of KP\u2019s rights and secure our outstanding dues\u201d.<\/p>\n Further, PTI\u2019s joint parliamentary committee expressed the hope that the meeting between PM Shehbaz and CM Afridi would resolve issues faced by KP.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The meeting discussed the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n It also emphasised that the federation must fulfil its constitutional responsibilities in that regard.<\/p>\n The participants also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and extended their heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the martyrs.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It was demanded that Imran be given immediate and unhindered access to his personal physicians and that meetings with him be restored without delay.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Additional input from Ikram Junaidi<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>Pending funds among other issues discussed: KP CM<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>Excellent coordination needed between Centre, KP: Muqam<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/a>Sanaullah divulges details of meeting<\/h2>\n
<\/a>KP CM\u2019s attitude must change: Tallal Chaudhry<\/h2>\n
<\/a>\u2018Outstanding dues\u2019<\/h2>\n
<\/a>PTI views meeting positively<\/h2>\n
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