ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday held a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at the PM House, where the two leaders discussed the release of pending federal funds for the province and coordination on counter-terrorism measures.
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Speaking to reporters after the meeting, CM Afridi described the interaction as part of his responsibility as chief minister, saying he attended at the prime minister’s invitation. He said he conveyed condolences over the recent wave of attacks in Balochistan and condemned the incidents, adding that both sides also discussed the need for a joint strategy to counter terrorism.
Afridi clarified that the meeting did not touch on political matters, including his recent complaints about being denied meetings with PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
“There were no political discussions,” he said.
The chief minister said the KP government had already provided Rs26 billion from its own resources for the merged districts under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), underscoring the financial strain on the province.
According to Afridi, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to meet with Aslam later in the day and make every possible effort to address the funding issues. He added that two to three follow-up meetings would be held, along with one or two sessions focused specifically on counter-terrorism coordination. “Once decisions are taken, they will be shared with the public,” he said.
Explaining his decision to attend the meeting, Afridi said that while he might not have done so purely as a political worker, he felt it was necessary in the interest of the people of KP, particularly given what he described as worsening financial conditions and security challenges.
When asked about the situation of displaced residents in Tirah and allegations of Rs4 billion in corruption against his government, Afridi alleged that the International Monetary Fund had issued what he called a “charge sheet” against the federal government over corruption amounting to Rs5.3 trillion in a report released in November.
“Rs4 billion is a small figure compared to the sacrifices being made by the people of Tirah, Kurram and Bajaur,” he said, adding that focusing on such allegations overlooked the hardships faced by residents of those areas.
In a post on X shortly after noon, PTI’s North Punjab chapter confirmed that CM Afridi had arrived at the PM House for the meeting.
Since assuming office in October last year, Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of delaying the release of funds allocated to KP, particularly for the newly merged districts.
The meeting came a week after the chief minister wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz, criticizing what he called the Centre’s “persistent failure” to release constitutionally guaranteed funds, especially those committed under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
Afridi has said the shortfall has triggered a serious fiscal and governance crisis in the province. He maintains that KP is entitled to Rs658.4 billion under the NFC but has so far received Rs604 billion, leaving a gap of Rs54.4 billion.
Addressing a jirga in Khyber a day earlier, the chief minister said he planned to meet the prime minister in Islamabad to press for KP’s rights and secure the province’s outstanding dues.
