SWABI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Wednesday cautioned that the country suffers when state institutions operate outside their constitutional boundaries, asserting that such “meddling” weakens national structures and creates long-term problems.
Speaking at the induction ceremony for the 35th batch of students at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan (GIK) Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, the chief minister said strong institutions were vital for national security. “When some institutions leave their constitutional positions and start interfering unnecessarily, it harms the country,” he remarked, adding that the audience was “intelligent enough to understand” his reference.
The event was attended by GIK Institute Rector Prof Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan President Salim Saifullah Khan, Executive Director Shakil Durrani, faculty members and students. The chief minister highlighted three essential principles for any organisation: intention, direction and struggle, saying institutions must uphold all three to function effectively.
Praising GIK as a symbol of national integration, Mr Afridi said students from diverse regions, including around 500 girls, were receiving quality higher education at the institute. He assured students that the provincial government would support those facing financial constraints, adding that no one’s education should suffer due to lack of resources. He also encouraged students to bring forward innovative ideas, promising provincial support for feasible projects.
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Mr Afridi announced 20 scholarships for students from tribal districts and offered financial backing for future infrastructure projects at GIK Institute. Salim Saifullah Khan noted that only 800 students were selected from 8,300 candidates who appeared for the entrance examination, while 424 acres of land for the institute had been provided by the provincial government. Prof Fazal added that the provincial cabinet recently approved scholarships for GIK students.
CM Afridi accuses “state institutions” of failing to fulfil their responsibilities. https://t.co/nAcmdqloBA
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 20, 2025
Later in Abbottabad, the chief minister warned individuals allegedly attempting to influence the upcoming November 23 by-election in Haripur. Addressing a rally in Havelian, he accused certain “state institutions” of neglecting their responsibilities and claimed democratic norms were being undermined. He criticised restrictions on meeting PTI founder Imran Khan and condemned the alleged mistreatment of Mr Khan’s sisters.
PTI leaders Senator Faisal Javed, Junaid Akbar, Omar Ayub Khan and others also addressed the gathering, accusing the Punjab government of obstructing wheat supplies to KP and urging supporters to “take revenge” through the ballot.
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