ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday assuring the federal government’s support for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s uplift, urged the provincial government to fulfill its responsibilities to establish law and order in the province, besides providing education and health facilities to its people.
The prime minister, in a meeting with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi here, emphasised cooperation between the federal and provincial government for the development and prosperity of the province’s people, calling it essential for provincial law and order too.
The meeting — which lasted for over an hour — was the first since Afridi took office as the provincial chief executive on October 13 last year. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister’s Adviser to Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam and Adviser to the KP government on finance Muzzammil Aslam attended the meeting.
The prime minister stressed the need to further intensify the provincial government’s efforts to establish peace and security and strengthen its institutions to combat terrorism. He said that the federal and provincial governments would continue joint efforts to eliminate terrorism, urging the provincial government to fulfill its responsibilities for establishing law and order in the province as well as for public welfare.
He said that as the KP government was empowered to ensure the uplift of the education and health sectors, it should take the required measures. Calling the KP province an important unit of the federation, he said the federal government had always been striving for the betterment of the KP’s people and would continue similar within its jurisdiction.
Emphasising close relations and effective coordination between the federation and the provinces as key to national progress and public service, Shehbaz also assured cooperation within the federal framework for development projects, improvement of basic infrastructure, education, health and increasing employment opportunities in the KP.
He said that the federal government was committed to taking all provinces along and acting on the vision of uniform development, saying that the goals of national unity, stability and prosperity could only be achieved through mutual consultation and collaborative action.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the KP chief minister said no political matters were discussed during his meeting with the prime minister, stressing that the discussion remained focused on governance, security and financial issues facing the province.
Afridi said that Rs2,600 billion meant for the merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained blocked, adding that the matter was taken up directly with the prime minister. “The prime minister has issued directions for the release of Rs26 billion funds,” the chief minister said.
Referring to the security situation in the province, Afridi said terrorism has no province and no country, and stressed that it must be confronted as a national challenge. He announced that after Eid, a follow-up meeting will be held in which terrorism and related security matters will be discussed in detail.
“We are already speaking openly and presenting our position clearly,” the chief minister said, responding to a question about the province’s stance on counterterrorism and governance matters.
Addressing speculation about political engagement, Afridi categorically said that no discussion was held about any meeting with incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. He further clarified that nothing was discussed regarding a meeting between the PTI founder and his sisters.
Commenting on the country’s financial situation, the KP chief minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on Rs5,300 billion is effectively a “charge sheet”, reflecting serious financial and governance shortcomings.
Highlighting the situation in conflict-affected tribal regions, Afridi said that the people of Tirah, Kurram and Bajaur are making enormous sacrifices, adding that an allocation of Rs4 billion is virtually nothing for communities that have borne such heavy losses.
Separately, Muqam — while speaking to media — said that serving the KP people remains the government’s top priority and stressed that regular meetings and coordination between the federal and provincial governments are essential.
The federal minister said that the prime minister thanked the KP CM for visiting Islamabad, adding that Shehbaz also appreciated Afridi for working together on national matters.
According to Muqam, the chief minister clearly conveyed during the meeting that the country and its institutions must move forward collectively.
Meanwhile, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga who called on him at the PM House, the prime minister acknowledged the Group’s valuable support which had been instrumental in advancing Pakistan’s economic development and reforms.
The prime minister welcomed Ajay Banga at his first official visit as WB president, and appreciated the Group for its long-standing partnership with Pakistan and its commitment to supporting the development priorities of the country especially through the 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
The premier also appreciated Banga’s leadership in transforming the World Bank Group into more impactful development partner.
He stated that the government was vigorously working on economic reform agenda with multi-pronged, comprehensive, structural and home grown programme aimed at sustainable economic stability.
The prime minister appreciated the support of the World Bank Group in resilient infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, fiscal reforms and increasing productive private investment for job creation and growth.
Shehbaz and Banga reiterated the need to fast-track implementation and ensure strong oversight to deliver impact at speed and scale on CPF-aligned priorities.
These measures would duly assist the prime minister’s initiative to address and resolve Implementation Bottlenecks in development projects.
The prime minister expressed the government’s commitment to structural reforms that would unlock job-rich growth and further strengthen investors’ confidence.
Ajay Banga expressed his gratitude to Shehbaz for his reception and hospitality in Pakistan. He commended Government of Pakistan’s ongoing reform efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening cooperation through a One World Bank Group approach.
He added that greater leverage of private resources, in addition to strong coordination with development partners, was necessary to meet the ambition of the government’s reform agenda.
Separately, talking to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Director General Dr Khaled El-Enany, who called on him at the PM House, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Unesco’s core values in advancing inclusive and quality education, safeguarding cultural heritage and strengthening resilience in the face of global challenges.
While congratulating Dr Enany on his election as Unesco DG, he commended the important work being carried out by Unesco and expressed Pakistan’s desire for continued collaboration with the organisation, under Dr Enany’s able leadership.
The prime minister highlighted various initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Pakistan for the promotion of education, particularly the “Education Emergency” that aims to maximise the enrollment of out-of-school children.
He shared the invaluable experiences, best practices and highly successful track record achieved in the education sector during his tenure as Punjab chief minister.
During the meeting, the prime minister also expressed satisfaction at Unesco’s support in the protection and preservation of six cultural heritage sites in Pakistan and invited Unesco to partner with Pakistan for enlisting more sites such as the Khewra Salt Mines.
The Unesco DG thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and said he had traveled to various schools and cultural sites in his short visit.
He appreciated Pakistan’s achievements in the education sector and underscored his continued commitment to support Pakistan’s efforts in the fields of education, science and culture.
Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khichi and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the prime minister held a meeting with the team representing the Pakistan Pavilion at the historic 61st Venice Biennale 2026, currently underway in Venice, Italy.
The meeting was attended by Najam Sethi, renowned Pakistani artist Faiza Butt, who is representing the Pakistan Pavilion, Pavilion Curator Beatriz Cifuentes Feliciano and Pakistan Pavilion Commissioner Dr Yaqoob Khan Bangash.
During the briefing, the Pavilion team informed the prime minister that Pakistan’s traditional art, distinctive aesthetics, and rich cultural heritage would be showcased to international visitors and tourists at the Venice Biennale. They further shared that a series of events will be organised under the Pakistan Pavilion from May to November 2026, aimed at highlighting diverse facets of Pakistani art and culture for global audiences.
The team also apprised the prime minister that the Venice Biennale, established in 1895, is the world’s oldest and largest international art exhibition, widely recognised for its diversity and creative excellence.
Welcoming the delegation, Shehbaz underscored the importance of promoting Pakistan’s history, cultural richness, and values of diversity and inclusivity on the international stage.
The delegation also extended an invitation to the prime minister to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Pakistan Pavilion.
Meanwhile, a joint parliamentary party meeting of PTI lawmakers welcomed the meeting between the prime minister and KP CM to resolve issues facing the province.
The meeting decided to intensify a street movement to ensure the success of a peaceful shutter-down and wheel-jam strike on February 8. It stated that the public mandate was stolen on February 8 and that people would voluntarily close their shops to peacefully protest this injustice.
The party strongly condemned what it termed the “arrests of party workers in Sindh and Punjab and raids on their homes,” calling such tactics a clear negation of democracy, the constitution, and fundamental human rights.
Ahead of the Senate and National Assembly sessions, the meeting—held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House—demanded that the federation immediately pay all outstanding dues to the province, especially related to the NFC and NHP so that practical solutions could be found for its people.
Chaired by party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the meeting was attended by KP Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi, Chief Whip in the NA Malik Amir Dogar, and members of the National Assembly and Senate. Participants stressed that the federation should fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. The meeting also discussed the country’s overall political, security and provincial situation in detail.
It strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of security personnel and innocent civilians. Heartfelt condolences were extended to the families of the martyrs, with a reiterated resolve that the nation stands united against terrorism.
Serious concern was expressed over news regarding the health of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan. The meeting noted that information about his health has caused anxiety across the country.
It demanded that the jailed leader be given immediate and full access to his doctor, that meetings with him be resumed without delay, and that he be released immediately.
Tribute was paid to the unparalleled sacrifices made by the tribal districts for the country, with a resolve that these sacrifices will not be in vain. The meeting stressed the immediate rehabilitation and full compensation of families affected by migration from Tirah Valley during severe weather.
The gathering fully supported the decisions of the Khyber Jirga and called on all relevant institutions to play an active role in establishing lasting peace in tribal districts and resolving public issues effectively. The meeting concluded with the resolve that the PTI will continue its struggle at all levels to protect the constitutional, democratic and political rights of the people.
