Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday agreed to frame joint efforts to curb terrorism and strengthen coordination between the federal and provincial governments, as the two leaders held their first formal meeting at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Monday.
The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with the prime minister stressing the need for close cooperation between the centre and the province to ensure peace, stability and development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PM Shehbaz underscored that federal-provincial collaboration was indispensable for maintaining law and order in the province and said that provincial efforts to combat terrorism needed to be further intensified.
The prime minister emphasised that the provincial government should strengthen its institutions to effectively counter terrorism and reiterated that both the federal and provincial governments would continue joint efforts for the complete eradication of terrorism.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a vital unit of the federation and assured that the federal government would continue to extend full support, within its constitutional domain, for the prosperity and welfare of the province’s people.
PM Shehbaz also highlighted that the provincial government must fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, particularly in maintaining peace and ensuring public welfare.
He noted that the province had the authority to take concrete steps in sectors such as health and education and stressed the importance of effective governance in these areas.
The PM added that national development and public service required close coordination and effective communication between the federation and the provinces.
The prime minister assured the chief minister of federal cooperation in development projects, infrastructure improvement, education, healthcare and employment generation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the federal government believed in moving forward with all provinces under a vision of balanced and uniform development, adding that national unity, stability and prosperity could be achieved through mutual consultation and collective action.
Following the meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi while talking to media strongly condemned terrorism wherever it occurs, stating that all Pakistanis must unequivocally denounce such acts.
