• Shehbaz tells Afridi cooperation between their govts ‘vital for peace’
• Better late than never, says Muqam after maiden huddle between the two leaders
• Both sides claim ‘politics not discussed’, not even Imran Khan
• CM slams terrorism in Balochistan, vows to tackle KP financial issues

ISLAMABAD: After months of strained ties and growing militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held his first meeting with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, stressing the need for close cooperation between the federal and KP governments, saying that coordination was vital for peace, development and public welfare in the province.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, which CM Afridi said was held at the premier’s invitation, the two leaders discussed issues related to KP’s finances, counterterrorism and the law and order situation, according to a statement reported by state-run PTV News.

Stressing that close and effective communication between the federation and provinces was indispensable for national progress and public service, the prime minister assured CM Afridi of the Centre’s cooperation, within its constitutional jurisdiction, for KP’s development projects, infrastructure improvement, education, health and employment generation.

PM Shehbaz termed the KP government’s cooperation in establishing peace in the province as “unavoidable”, urging the provincial administration to step up efforts to improve law and order and strengthen institutions to counter terrorism.

Assuring that both the federal and provincial governments would continue joint efforts to combat militancy, the PM said the KP government should fulfil its constitutional responsibilities to ensure peace and public welfare.

“The provincial government is empowered. Steps should be taken for the health and education of KP’s people,” the premier said, while reaffirming that the federal government had always “strived for the betterment” of the province and would “continue to do so within its jurisdiction”.

Calling KP an “important unit” of the federation, PM Shehbaz said “national unity, stability and prosperity can be achieved effectively through mutual consultation and collaboration” among all the provinces.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam were also present during the meeting.

‘Better later than never’ later Mr Muqam, while speaking to reporters, welcomed the meeting, quipping: “Better late than never”. Noting that Mr Afridi was also invited previously but he had not arrived, the minister stressed the need for “excellent coordination” between the Centre and KP. He further said the point that “speaking against institutions was not right” was also brought up during the meeting.

Mr Muqam said it was agreed that communication should be maintained and that politics should be set aside to adopt a “collective stance” against terrorism.

On the issue of pending funds, the minister said the federal government had paid the dues. However, he added that if there were but if there were any differences, they should be sorted out through talks.

‘No politics discussed’

Mr Muqam further claimed that no “political matter, including the issue of PTI founder Imran Khan, was discussed”.

Speaking to the media afterwards, CM Afridi also maintained that “no political matters were discussed”, including issues related to PTI founder Imran Khan.

He described the meeting as a “demand of his role” and said he had conveyed condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan. He added that there must be no ambiguity in condemning terrorism wherever it occurred.

“Terrorism has no province, religion or country, and whoever carries it out must be condemned as a Pakistani,” he said.

The chief minister said issues concerning KP’s finances were discussed, including the National Finance Commission award, Net Hydel Profit payments, the Chashma Right Bank Canal and other pending federal funds. He added that a joint course of action to combat terrorism was also taken up.

The chief minister also said the KP government had provided Rs26 billion from its own resources for the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme.

CM Afridi said the prime minister directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to meet the KP chief minister’s adviser on finance, Muzammil Aslam, later in the day and make every possible effort to resolve the outstanding issues.

He said further meetings, including one or two on counterterrorism, would follow, and decisions would be made public once finalised.

He added that the people of Tirah, Kurram and Bajaur had made unparalleled sacrifices for Pakistan and continues to pay the price even today. He said that amounts such as Rs4 billion were not a favour in return for these sacrifices but a responsibility of the state.

‘KP CM’s attitude must change’

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also said the meeting should have taken place earlier, warning that lack of coordination between the Centre and a province ultimately harmed the people.

When asked whether the KP CM’s attitude towards the Centre should change, Mr Chaudhry replied in the affirmative.

“It 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,” he added.

He said the National Assembly speaker’s office and a special committee remained available for dialogue.

When asked about the possibility of allowing Mr Khan — who recently underwent a procedure for an eye ailment — to travel abroad for medical treatment, Chaudhry denied the need for it, saying the PTI founder was “absolutely fine”.

‘Lacked warmth’

Adviser to the KP CM on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, who also attended the meeting, told Dawn that the meeting took place in a cold atmosphere and lacked warmth. He said the PM suggested that CM Afridi should convene a meeting of the provincial apex committee, to be followed by a federal apex committee meeting.

CM Afridi, he added, did not commit to the proposal, saying he would first discuss it with his party leadership.

Mr Aslam said KP would hold talks with the federal finance minister and the federal minister for planning on Tuesday (today) to take up financial issues. He added that the PM rejected the KP government’s claim that Punjab was receiving a larger share from the Centre, saying it was not true.

Manzoor Ali in Peshawar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2026