KP Government Maintains Working Relationship with Federal Government, No Backdoor Contact: Shafee Jan

Peshawar: Shafee Jan, Advisor on Information to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that the provincial government maintains only a working relationship with the federal government and that there are no backdoor contacts involving Chief Minister Suhail Afridi.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Shafee Jan said that if the federal government desires to impose Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it may proceed, but any such move would be a misguided adventure. He questioned what circumstances in the province warrant talks of Governor’s Rule, emphasizing that it should only be imposed where there are governance issues or illegal actions.

Shafee Jan also criticized the federal government’s approach toward Afghan citizens, calling it inconsistent. He said that while the federal government insists on repatriating all Afghans, it simultaneously grants citizenship and political tickets to Afghan nationals, highlighting a perceived contradiction in policy.

Regarding provincial matters, he emphasized that the KP government has a constructive working relationship with the federal government, citing participation in the NFC Award meeting to address the province’s share of approximately PKR 4,500 billion in dues.

When asked about any backdoor contacts with the establishment, Shafee Jan firmly denied them, stating that the provincial government communicates only with the federal government. He also mentioned that Chief Minister Suhail Afridi’s attempts to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan were repeatedly blocked, and even court orders were not honored by jail authorities.