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PM Shehbaz Assures Cooperation with KP CM Sohail Afridi Amid Political Tensions
PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates KP CM Sohail Afridi, assuring full cooperation “in the national interest.” Afridi seeks meeting with Imran Khan as PHC grants him bail till Nov 18.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-16
PM Shehbaz Assures Cooperation with KP CM Sohail Afridi Amid Political Tensions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured newly-elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi that the federal government is ready to cooperate with his administration for the national interest.

After a week-long constitutional and political crisis over the chief minister’s election, Afridi was sworn in yesterday evening at the Governor House in Peshawar, in a ceremony attended by hundreds of PTI supporters.

Despite earlier criticism from government ministers, a statement from state broadcaster PTV News on Thursday confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz had spoken to the new chief minister and congratulated him. “The federation is ready to work with you in the interest of Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) granted protective bail to CM Afridi till November 18. The bench, comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar, directed the authorities to submit details of any criminal cases registered against the chief minister at the next hearing.

Speaking to reporters outside the PHC, Afridi stressed the importance of his meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, saying, “The federal government and those preventing the meeting should realise that a province’s chief minister is coming.”

The newly-elected CM confirmed that no cabinet decisions would be made without the approval of “our lifelong party chairman.”

Following the court proceedings, Afridi headed towards Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan. PTI leaders and digital media representatives confirmed the chief minister’s movement, sharing videos of his journey on X (formerly Twitter).

However, the PTI later alleged that authorities had blocked the meeting. “They are isolating the leadership that millions of Pakistanis trust,” the party said in a statement, calling the move “the real anti-Pakistan act.”

Speaking near Adiala Jail, CM Afridi reiterated his commitment to dialogue, saying he had requested PM Shehbaz to facilitate his meeting with the PTI founder. “The Prime Minister said he would look into it, but there has been no response yet,” Afridi told reporters.

The KP CM further asserted that the provincial government would continue to pursue all legal and constitutional avenues to arrange the meeting, warning that if justice was denied, “peaceful protest is the only option left.”

Afridi concluded by reaffirming PTI’s commitment to peaceful political engagement. “We have always protested peacefully and will continue to do so,” he said.
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