- Premier Shehbaz meets party’s lawmakers from KP, reviews province’s development projects
- Calls for ‘sustained political engagement’ to ensure provincial stability and growth
- Stresses KP’s central role in national development agenda, asks authorities to expedite welfare, infrastructure schemes
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met lawmakers and political leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to discuss the province’s development priorities and the country’s evolving political situation, amid growing friction between the PTI-led KP government and the Centre over counterterrorism policy and fiscal rights.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting reviewed the “overall political landscape” and progress on ongoing federal development projects in the province. The premier directed the relevant authorities to expedite key infrastructure and welfare initiatives, stressing that “KP remains a key priority in the national agenda.”
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے خیبر پختونخوا سے تعلق رکھنے والے ارکان پارلیمنٹ اور سیاسی قیادت کی ملاقات
ملاقات میں ملکی مجموعی سیاسی صورتحال پر گفتگو۔ ملاقات میں خیبر پختونخوا میں جاری ترقیاتی منصوبوں پر پیش رفت کے حوالے سے بھی گفتگو ہوئی۔
ملاقات میں وفاقی وزراء انجینیئر امیر… pic.twitter.com/Ko5Hv1pdlE
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 22, 2025
The discussion, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, focused on federal efforts to promote socio-economic development in KP and enhance coordination between the Centre and provincial stakeholders, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
The prime minister underscored the “need for sustained political engagement to ensure stability and growth in the province,” reaffirming that national progress required cooperation between all federating units.
The meeting comes at a time when relations between the federal and KP governments have grown increasingly tense, particularly over counterterrorism operations and fiscal matters.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے خیبر پختونخوا سے تعلق رکھنے والے ارکان پارلیمنٹ اور سیاسی قیادت کی ملاقات
ملاقات میں ملکی مجموعی سیاسی صورتحال پر گفتگو ہوئی۔ ملاقات میں خیبر پختونخوا میں جاری ترقیاتی منصوبوں پر پیش رفت کے حوالے سے بھی گفتگو ہوئی۔ pic.twitter.com/RkSjHRLVri
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 22, 2025
The PTI, which has governed KP since 2013, has opposed full-scale military operations against militants, arguing that such measures cause civilian displacement in tribal districts.
Earlier this week, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accused the Centre of pursuing a “flawed policy” that, he claimed, had contributed to the recent resurgence of terrorism in the province. He further alleged that Islamabad had withheld funds allocated under the country’s war on terrorism, along with “other constitutional rights” due to KP.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp uptick in terrorist attacks since November 2022, when the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) unilaterally ended its ceasefire with the state and resumed hostilities, targeting security personnel, police, and other law enforcement agencies—particularly in KP and Balochistan.
A delegation of Parliamentarians and Political leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/2K71FItpvl
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 22, 2025
Officials at the meeting reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting the province in its development and security challenges while calling for a unified national approach to counterterrorism and stability.
PM commends Information Secretary for dedicated service on retirement
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif lauded the services of Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan during her farewell call at the Prime Minister’s Office.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے وفاقی سیکریٹری اطلاعات و نشریات محترمہ عنبرین جان کی الوداعی ملاقات
ملاقات میں وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات و نشریات عطاء اللہ تارڑ بھی موجود تھے۔
محترمہ عنبرین جان آج سول سروس سے ریٹائر ہو رہی ہیں۔ وزیراعظم نے حکومت پاکستان کے لئے ان کی خدمات کو سراہا اور… pic.twitter.com/AM87sE2xrJ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 22, 2025
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar was also present at the meeting, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Ambreen Jan is retiring from the civil service today after a distinguished career in public service. The prime minister appreciated her significant contributions to the Government of Pakistan, particularly highlighting her commendable efforts in effectively projecting Pakistan’s narrative at the international level during the Marka-e-Haq.
Acknowledging her professionalism and leadership, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to Ambreen Jan for her future endeavors.
