Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed willingness Friday to engage in talks with the establishment on provincial concerns, aiming to mend ties and prioritize public interest in policymaking.
Addressing journalists in Peshawar, Afridi clarified that PTI founder Imran Khan gave no directives on such discussions. Instead, Khan tasked Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas with that role. Afridi added he would meet Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir if any formal event arises.
He stressed the need for constitutional and legal supremacy nationwide. For negotiations on Khan’s release, Afridi said conditions must be favorable.
Afridi defended Khan’s sisters campaigning for his freedom, noting their Karachi trip aims to rally public support for the PTI leader.
He acknowledged using inappropriate language during a Lahore visit, calling it a reactive slip-up, and confirmed his apology.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah told Geo News’ Naya Pakistan that PM Shehbaz Sharif couldn’t initiate PTI talks without Nawaz Sharif or establishment input. Sanaullah doubted success without Khan’s backing, citing Aleema Khan’s claim that any dialoguers aren’t true party members.
Earlier, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan urged legal action over chaos during Afridi’s visit to the legislature. A committee report found his entourage entered without authorization and clashed with security. This followed Afridi’s letter to Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz protesting his alleged mistreatment.
