Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said he is ready to hold talks with the establishment on key provincial matters. He stressed that dialogue should aim to improve relations and serve the public interest.
Speaking to journalists in Peshawar on Friday, Sohail Afridi said policies must reflect the will of the people. He added that stability and cooperation were necessary for good governance in the province.
The chief minister clarified that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan had not given him any instructions about talks. He said Imran Khan had instead tasked Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas with the responsibility. He also said he respected party discipline and followed official decisions.
Afridi said he was open to meeting senior state officials if the opportunity arose. He added that he would meet the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at any official event or ceremony.
The chief minister stressed the need for constitutional supremacy. He said the law must apply equally to everyone. He added that talks about Imran Khan’s release required a suitable environment. According to him, dialogue could only move forward if conditions were constructive.
He also defended the political role of Imran Khan’s sisters. He said it was their right to campaign for their brother’s release. He added that their visit to Karachi aimed to mobilise public support peacefully.
During the media interaction, Sohail Afridi addressed his recent Lahore visit. He admitted that he used inappropriate language during the visit. He said his remarks were a reaction to the situation at the time. He added that he later apologised for his words.
On the same day, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah shared his views on dialogue. Speaking on a Geo News programme, he said the prime minister could not offer talks without consultations. He added that Nawaz Sharif and the establishment must be involved.
Rana Sanaullah also expressed doubts about successful negotiations. He said talks would fail without Imran Khan’s support. He referred to a statement by Aleema Khan, who reportedly said any dialogue would not involve party representatives.
Earlier this week, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan recommended legal action. His comments followed unrest during the arrival of the KP chief minister at the Punjab Assembly. A committee report said some individuals entered the building without permission. It also mentioned scuffles with security staff.
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The report came after Afridi wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He protested what he described as ill-treatment during his assembly visit.
