PM Shehbaz Sharif meets KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, during which they discussed the overall law and order situation in the province, along with other matters of mutual interest, sources said.

According to sources, the meeting focused on measures to further improve security, maintain stability and address key administrative and governance challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The prime minister and the chief minister also exchanged views on coordination between the federal and provincial governments to ensure effective implementation of policies aimed at public welfare and peace in the province.

CM Afridi warns against governor’s rule

Earlier CM Afridi had said he will raise the province’s key grievances in an upcoming meeting with PM Sharif, amid a widening dispute between the federal and provincial governments over funding for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and allegations of political pressure on the KP administration.

Addressing a peace jirga in Khyber district on Sunday, Afridi accused the Centre of misappropriating billions of rupees meant for IDPs from the former tribal areas. He said that when the provincial government allocated Rs4 billion for affected families, it was met with allegations of corruption from federal quarters. Rejecting the claims, Afridi announced that the KP government would instead earmark Rs100 billion for IDPs.

Federal ministers have accused the PTI-led KP government of mismanagement in the allocation of funds for displaced families from Tirah Valley. Earlier in the day, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the provincial government must account for the Rs4 billion allocated for Tirah residents, adding that a local jirga had presented allegations of corruption and poor administration. The federal government maintains that displacement from Tirah was seasonal, linked to harsh winter conditions, rather than a result of military operations, a claim disputed by the PTI.

During his address, Afridi also condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan that claimed the lives of security personnel and civilians. He warned of what he described as moves to impose governor’s rule in KP, alleging attempts were under way to remove him through court proceedings.

The chief minister asked jirga participants to choose between returning to Tirah or marching to Islamabad in protest. Participants reportedly backed a protest plan, though Afridi said he would first visit all tribal districts before making a final decision.

Separately, the Khyber Qaumi Jirga has called on both federal and provincial governments to ensure facilities, protection and dignified rehabilitation for displaced families from Tirah Valley, urging greater coordination and solidarity.