KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi Criticizes Institutional Interference in Politics, Warns of Instability

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that Pakistan’s core problem is political interference by an institution that has no constitutional role in politics, which, he claimed, has caused political instability in the province.

Addressing the annual Convocation 2026 of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, the chief minister said that one institution “interferes in all others and also plays a role in politics,” leading to instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the ceremony, degrees were awarded to 620 students who graduated in the academic year 2025. These included 537 BSc, 38 MSc, and four PhD degrees, while 22 students from various disciplines received gold medals.

Congratulating the graduates and their parents, Afridi said outdated curricula had been producing unemployed graduates, but the introduction of modern scientific courses and new disciplines had enabled students to secure jobs even before completing their degrees. He added that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has no shortage of talent, opportunities have remained limited.

The chief minister said the province had long suffered from insecurity and was repeatedly used as a “testing ground,” which negatively affected its youth. However, he assured that this would not continue. He said meetings had been held with the Apex Committee and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on security matters, and important steps were being taken to restore peace.

“Peace will bring prosperity and development,” Afridi said, adding that institutions should function within their respective domains, likening it to civil engineering institutions not interfering in electrical engineering matters.

Sohail Afridi further alleged that Imran Khan’s government was removed through closed-door decisions and claimed that rising inflation had pushed the public into hardship. He accused the federal government of massive corruption, citing figures referenced by the IMF, and said public tax money had been misused.

Criticizing silence over forced displacements and corruption, the chief minister warned that failure to raise voices would result in further loss of lives. “We are tired of carrying coffins,” he remarked.

He vowed to stand “like a rock” for the rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announcing resistance against those allegedly amassing wealth abroad with public funds. He also pledged to recover the province’s pending dues from the federal government with public support.