PESHAWAR: Despite being present in the Federal Capital, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has declined to attend a key security meeting, citing “urgent commitments” — a move widely viewed as a sign of non-cooperation between the provincial and federal governments.
Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the high-level meeting was attended by provincial chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan as well as Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. The meeting deliberated on assessment of flood damages, evacuation of Afghan refugees, wheat crisis as well as reviewing the evolving situation and assessing internal security.
CM Afridi’s absence has sparked criticism and raised concerns about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led KP government’s commitment to coordination on pressing national issues, particularly those related to internal security.
Instead of attending in person, the KP Chief Minister nominated Muzammil Aslam, a former advisor on finance to the KP government, to represent the province at the meeting.
“I am directed to refer to the above-mentioned subject and to state that, due to urgent commitments of the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the former Advisor Finance in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, Mr. Muzammil Aslam, may be allowed to represent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the meeting to be chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 17.10.2025,” stated a letter from the CM’s Secretariat to the Military Secretary of the Federal Government.
Sources said the federal government views the matter of security situation as highly sensitive, stressing the need for unified action to counter emerging threats and maintain stability along the border.
Security analysts also observed that while Pakistan’s peace efforts are gaining international recognition, the KP government’s perceived lack of seriousness could be interpreted as undermining the state’s resolve against anti-Pakistan elements, including threats emanating from Afghan soil.
