KP CM Gandapur holds crucial talks with PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to discuss the issues facing the government.

According to sources, the meeting focused on key issues facing the province and thrashed out strategies to address them. One significant topic of discussion was likely the appointment of the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a crucial administrative position responsible for coordinating and implementing government policies and programmes in the province.

During the meeting, Gandapur briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the current challenges and priorities of the KP government, including issues related to governance, security, infrastructure development, and socio-economic development.

The discussion also touched upon collaboration between the federal and provincial governments to address these challenges and support development initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Talking to the media along with Planning Commission Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Gandapur said that he held a positive meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He said that he discussed public issues with the prime minister, who assured him of the resolution of the problems facing the province.

He said that the prime minister expressed commitment to settling the dues of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and addressed the appointment of the chief secretary, affirming that the province’s mandate will be respected and the matter resolved promptly.

Gandapur clarified that the intent behind writing to the IMF was not to prevent the release of funds to Pakistan.

Answering a question, he mentioned that he was not present in Peshawar when the prime minister visited the provincial capital, otherwise, he would have received him.

Gandapur also said that he discussed upcoming Senate elections with the prime minister besides discussing security issues.

Talking to the media, Ahsan Iqbal welcomed the meeting between the prime minister and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, terming it a positive signal.

He said that the chief minister raised concerns about load-shedding during Sehri and Iftar and the prime minister instructed the relevant ministry to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the province during these times.

Ahsan said that the prime minister proposed the formation of a permanent team to address the issues of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the federal government.

He said that the chief minister also discussed the plight of those prisoners who have been detained without evidence and the prime minister assured him that no injustice will be done with anyone.

He said that today’s meeting emphasized the shared responsibility towards the state despite differing political views, with a collective commitment to face challenges unitedly for the nation’s sake.

“The journey ahead will be undertaken together with all federating units,” he said.