Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has offered talks to the federal government, saying political issues can be resolved through mutual understanding. The KP CM talks offer came a day after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postponed its planned Islamabad long march from September 27 to October 4, giving both sides additional time to consider negotiations.
Speaking to senior journalists in Peshawar on Saturday, Afridi said the federal government should not wait for the proposed long march before engaging with the PTI. He questioned why negotiations could not take place before the protest if dialogue was eventually going to be necessary.
“If negotiations have to be held after the long march, why not do them before?” he asked, stressing that his preference was for the dispute to be resolved through discussion.
Afridi Calls for Seven-Day Dialogue
The KP chief minister said the federal government still had an opportunity to resolve the matter within seven days through mutual understanding. He explained that the political committee had decided to provide the government with additional time and described the postponement of the march as part of the party’s broader political strategy.
The KP CM talks offer comes as tensions remain high between the federal government and the PTI. The former ruling party has been preparing for a major demonstration in Islamabad, with its demands including the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and what the party describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Afridi also indicated that the provincial government would welcome Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman if he decided to join the protest movement. His remarks suggest that the PTI-led political campaign could potentially involve wider opposition participation.
PTI Explains March Postponement
Earlier on Saturday, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai described the decision to postpone the Islamabad march as a political strategy.
According to Yousafzai, the federal government had deployed a large number of police personnel and placed containers in the area ahead of the planned protest. He said the party consequently adjusted its strategy while maintaining that it supported a peaceful political struggle.
Yousafzai argued that the federal government would eventually need to engage in negotiations with the PTI. He urged the government to move beyond political differences and hold practical discussions rather than limiting negotiations to statements made through television channels.
The PTI leader also repeated the party’s demand that Imran Khan receive medical treatment in accordance with court orders. This remains one of the central issues raised by the party as it prepares for its next phase of political activity.
Dispute Over Provincial Autonomy
Another major issue raised by Yousafzai was the relationship between the federal and provincial governments. He accused the federal government of interfering in provincial affairs and referred to the constitutional framework established after the 18th Amendment.
He also criticised Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar’s remarks regarding Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and referred to previous comments involving Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and provincial matters.
These disagreements highlight the broader political tensions between the PTI-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government. The question of provincial authority has become an important part of the political debate, particularly as both sides prepare for further political activity.
Afridi Says He Will Accept PTI Decision
During his interaction with journalists, Afridi was also asked about his position as chief minister and the possibility of losing his office. He said he would not be concerned even if he were removed from the position for the sake of Imran Khan.
Afridi further stated that if he were disqualified, the PTI founder would decide who should replace him. His remarks underline his stated alignment with the PTI leadership at a time when the party is preparing for another major political mobilisation.
For now, the KP CM talks offer has opened the possibility of dialogue before the October 4 march. Whether the federal government responds positively remains to be seen. The coming days could determine whether the two sides move toward negotiations or continue with preparations for the planned protest.
The postponement has therefore created a short window for political engagement. Afridi’s call for mutual understanding suggests that dialogue remains an option, while PTI’s continued demands indicate that significant disagreements still need to be addressed.
