Decries decisions made behind closed doors, vows to uphold PTI’s mandate and Khan’s reform agenda
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. SCREENGRAB
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has expressed dissatisfaction over the province being excluded from consultations on Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, despite being a key stakeholder in the process.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote for the Senate elections on Thursday, the chief minister said that while he welcomed dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the K-P government had not been taken into confidence.
Afridi emphasized that Pakistan must prioritize its national interests, saying, “No country is anyone’s true ally; every state acts according to its own interests. We need a statesman who can truly safeguard Pakistan’s interests.”
The chief minister strongly opposed decision-making behind closed doors, stressing that such methods erode public and governmental trust. “The people and the provincial government no longer accept closed-room decisions. Peace cannot be achieved through secrecy,” he asserted.
Afridi lamented that K-P had been turned into a “testing ground,” noting that despite 22 major operations and over 14,000 intelligence-based operations, terrorism had not been eradicated. He demanded accountability for those responsible for collateral damage, adding that fundamental human rights in the province would not be compromised.
The chief minister revealed that he was on his way to meet the party’s founding chairman in Rawalpindi and that an official cabinet statement would be issued following the meeting. He said all party MPAs stood firmly behind him.
Afridi reiterated that the people of K-P continue to trust the PTI founder, citing good governance as the reason for the party’s third consecutive term in government. He also announced that new legislation would soon be introduced to ensure legal action in cases where ordinary citizens suffer losses.
After speaking to the media, the chief minister left for Rawalpindi, accompanied by several assembly members.
In a separate press statement issued on Thursday evening, Sohail Afridi congratulated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Khurram Zeeshan on winning the Senate by-election, calling it “a victory of truth, people’s trust, and Imran Khan’s ideology.”
In his congratulatory message, Afridi said Zeeshan’s success proved that members of the K-P Assembly voted according to their conscience. He added that the win reaffirms PTI’s commitment to principled politics, public service, and Imran Khan’s vision for a prosperous Pakistan.
Afridi stated that PTI’s victory symbolizes hope for a better national future and reflects the province’s unwavering faith in Imran Khan’s leadership.
He said the ongoing movement for “real freedom,” rule of law, judicial and media independence, and justice continues with full determination, aiming to build a corruption-free, strong, and self-reliant Pakistan.
