PM Shehbaz terms federal-provincial synergy ‘indispensable’ for KP security

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held a high-level meeting on Monday to align federal and provincial strategies on national security and regional development.

During the huddle, the prime minister characterised the partnership between the centre and the province as “indispensable” for restoring law and order, urging the provincial government to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts and strengthen local security institutions to establish peace, the PM Office said in a handout.

According to the PMO, PM Shehbaz stated that the federal and provincial governments would continue joint efforts to completely eliminate terrorism. He stressed that the provincial government should fulfill its constitutional responsibility regarding public welfare and security.

While acknowledging that the provincial government is empowered, he urged that concrete steps be taken for the health and education of the people.

“The federal government has always remained committed to the betterment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the province as an essential unit of the federation,” he reaffirmed.

Furthermore, the premier highlighted that close coordination and effective communication between the federation and provinces are vital for national development and public service. He assured federal support, within its jurisdiction, for development projects, infrastructure improvement, and the expansion of education, health, and employment opportunities in the province.

Shehbaz said that the federal government is following a vision of uniform development and that “goals of national solidarity, stability, and prosperity can be effectively achieved through mutual consultation and cooperation”.