Peshawar:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that he will announce his future course of action before the public if he is not allowed to meet PTI founder Imran Khan. He said formal talks with the Interior Ministry—despite the Prime Minister’s directive for federal–provincial engagement—will take place only after meeting Khan.
Addressing the KP Assembly, Afridi vowed to govern in line with public expectations, invoking the metaphor that “one day of a lion’s rule is better than a hundred years of a jackal’s rule.” He argued the agenda sent from Islamabad did not prioritise law and order and praised Muzzammil Aslam for defending the province’s case.
Afridi claimed Punjab has halted wheat supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said he raised the issue in the PM’s meeting. On Afghan refugees, he reiterated a clear stance: those residing for 40–45 years should be repatriated with dignity, calling it a national policy that the province will implement. He added that provincial proposals were accepted and a notification regarding refugee camps was issued overnight. He maintained that any further sitting with the Interior Ministry will follow his meeting with the PTI founder, urging the opposition to back the government on provincial rights.
The chief minister alleged the federation owes the province PKR 500 billion. He said obsolete vehicles provided to the province would be returned. While terming talks in Doha and Istanbul as positive, he noted reservations. According to him, PTI was elected in KP on performance, and current security issues stem from “closed-room decisions” that his government will not accept.
Outlining planned actions, Afridi announced a medical college and a university for the merged tribal districts, a ban on fake FIRs, no detentions of political workers under 3-MPO, no cases against students, establishment of women police stations, zero tolerance for corruption, a transparent transfers policy, continuation of Ehsaas programmes, and the launch of a new Billion Tree Tsunami initiative. “This time, change will be visible,” he said.
Afridi also said smear campaigns began after his nomination for chief minister, creating a narrative that he would clash with state institutions and the federation. “I speak of the Constitution and of meeting my leader—how is that confrontation?” He added that the delay in forming the cabinet stems from being denied that meeting. If the meeting does not happen, he will present his case to the people in Charsadda, Khyber and Karak and announce his next steps.
The KP Assembly session was adjourned until 2:00 pm tomorrow.
