Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday congratulated Sohail Afridi on being elected as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and stressed the importance of close coordination between the federal and provincial governments to achieve national objectives.

This marked the first telephonic conversation between PM Shehbaz and CM Afridi following his election to the province’s top post, which took place amid growing political friction between the PML-N-led federal government and the PTI-led KP administration. “The Centre is ready to work with you for Pakistan’s interests,” the prime minister told the newly elected chief minister, who took oath a day earlier, succeeding Ali Amin Gandapur.

In response, CM Afridi expressed gratitude for the premier’s gesture and shared that he represents a province of 45 million people. He also sought permission to meet his party leader, the PTI founder, currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail. Speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, Afridi said he had written to the federal and Punjab governments requesting permission for the meeting but had yet to receive a response. “The prime minister told me he would look into the matter and inform me accordingly,” he added, stressing that his government would continue to follow constitutional and legal means to secure the meeting.

Rejecting accusations that PTI engages only in protest politics, Afridi said the party always practices peaceful demonstrations. “When justice is not provided through the courts, peaceful protest becomes our constitutional right,” he said. He also mentioned that if needed, he would form an advisory council to assist in governance decisions, asserting: “Quaid-e-Azam is the founder of the nation, Pakistan comes first, everything else follows.”

Afridi said he has been working for the PTI founder’s release since taking office and plans to consult him on the formation of the provincial cabinet while offering his own recommendations. A young PTI leader from Bara tehsil of Khyber district, Afridi previously served as provincial minister for higher education. Known for his ideological commitment and grassroots activism, he has been part of the PTI since his student years.

In his maiden address to the KP Assembly, Afridi described himself as “a champion of confrontational politics,” signaling that he would continue his predecessor’s struggle for the PTI founder’s release with renewed vigor. He warned that if the PTI founder was moved from Adiala Jail without consulting his family or party, the PTI would paralyze the country through protests.

Afridi also addressed the issue of terrorism in KP, urging the federal government to reassess its Afghan policy, remarks that contrasted with the Centre’s approach and drew criticism from Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

Sanaullah said Afridi’s statements were against the Constitution and the law. “Sohail Afridi is saying that he will not work with the federal government,” he remarked, noting that while provinces enjoy autonomy after the 18th Amendment, they cannot defy the federal setup. “If the chief minister acts as he promised in his speech, I don’t think he can function constitutionally as head of a provincial government,” Sanaullah warned.

He added that if PTI seeks democratic treatment from the state and institutions, it must act like a political party rather than resort to agitation.

We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com