Islamabad — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held a key one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House on Monday, February 2, 2026, as friction grows over security in the province, the displacement of families from Tirah Valley, and long-pending federal dues to K-P.
The session, which later included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister Amir Muqam, and K-P Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam, focused on cooperation for law and order, counter-terrorism efforts, and provincial development needs. It came just days after Afridi publicly accused the Centre of a “U-turn” on Tirah and threatened a protest march to Islamabad if grievances remain unaddressed.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/HFUr57v6Ck
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 2, 2026
Key Highlights
- PM Shehbaz stressed federal-provincial unity for maintaining peace, urging K-P to strengthen institutions against terrorism and fulfill constitutional duties on law and order, health, and education.
- Prime Minister highlighted K-P as a vital part of the federation and pledged continued support for infrastructure, jobs, and public welfare within federal limits.
- Discussions covered NFC awards, Net Hydel Profit payments, Chashma Right Bank Canal issues, and other outstanding dues; PM directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to meet K-P Finance Adviser for resolution.
- CM Afridi expressed condolences over recent Balochistan attacks, condemned terrorism unequivocally, and confirmed talks on joint anti-terrorism strategy — with more meetings (one or two) planned soon.
- No political discussions took place, including any request for meetings with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
- Broader context: Meeting follows Afridi’s letter to the PM on delayed “constitutionally guaranteed” funds (shortfall of Rs54.4 billion under NFC) and his strong stance against alleged forced displacement in Tirah, where thousands fled amid fears of military action.
Focus on Security Cooperation and Provincial Dues
The talks unfolded against a backdrop of rising concerns in K-P’s merged districts. Afridi has repeatedly claimed families in Tirah were displaced involuntarily amid warnings of operations, rejecting federal assertions of routine seasonal migration. Displaced residents have faced harsh winter conditions, fueling local resentment and calls for accountability.
For many in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, these issues hit close to home — outstanding funds mean delayed projects in health, education, and infrastructure, while security lapses affect daily life in vulnerable areas. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on joint efforts and institutional strengthening reflects a shared goal: restoring stability without compromising provincial autonomy.
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Afridi, speaking to media afterward, described the meeting as fulfilling his duty to the people of K-P, where conditions — financial and security-wise — have grown serious. He noted the province has already spent from its own resources (including Rs26 billion under the Accelerated Implementation Programme for merged districts) to support affected communities.
What’s Next After the Islamabad Talks
With Ahsan Iqbal set to engage K-P officials soon and follow-up sessions lined up on counter-terrorism, the door remains open for progress on dues and coordination. Afridi indicated decisions from these discussions would be shared publicly once finalized.
This engagement signals a willingness to bridge gaps through dialogue — a positive step toward addressing K-P’s legitimate concerns while reinforcing national unity in the fight against terrorism and for equitable development across the federation.
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