CM KP Sohail Afridi criticises Punjab treatment, praises Sindh government
KARACHI: CM KP Sohail Afridi criticises Punjab treatment, praises Sindh government, saying that respect shown by provincial administrations reflects their political values and governance approach. Speaking at a Meet the Press event at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stated that he received courteous and dignified treatment during his stay in Sindh, in contrast to what he described as disrespectful behavior faced in Punjab.
CM KP Sohail Afridi said that political maturity was demonstrated through respectful conduct, adding that “those who give respect will receive respect in return.” He noted that the Sindh government’s attitude reminded him of the political legacy of former prime ministers Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose leadership styles, he said, were rooted in tolerance and democratic values. However, he remarked sarcastically that time would determine whether the province continued on that path or evolved into what he termed “Zardari’s government.”
Discussing ongoing political uncertainty and the possibility of talks with the federal government, CM KP Sohail Afridi reiterated the stance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, emphasizing that dialogue remained necessary to stabilize the political environment. However, he questioned whether the individuals representing the federal government had the authority to make meaningful decisions. He stressed that negotiations would only be productive if the opposing side was genuinely empowered to act, adding that he personally had not engaged with anyone regarding potential talks.
The KP chief minister further revealed that his party leadership had instructed him to prepare for a street movement, signaling growing political pressure amid the current climate. “If there is resistance, there will be reconciliation,” he said, suggesting that political struggle and dialogue often go hand in hand in democratic systems.
Addressing security issues, CM KP Sohail Afridi reaffirmed his party’s opposition to all militant organizations, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He maintained that decisions regarding counterterrorism policies should not be made behind closed doors and called for greater transparency and inclusion of provincial stakeholders.
He emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a democratically elected government with a clear public mandate, arguing that lasting peace could only be achieved by involving representatives chosen by the people. “If terrorism is to be tackled effectively, it is essential to engage with those who represent the province,” he said, underlining the importance of federal-provincial cooperation in addressing security challenges.
CM KP Sohail Afridi’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tensions and ongoing debate over governance, respect between institutions, and the future course of dialogue between opposition parties and the federal government.
