KP CM Afridi open to dialogue with govt but warns against 'misadventure'

KP CM Afridi open to dialogue with govt but warns against 'misadventure'.

Key points

• Bureau Report Published September 26, 2026 Updated September 26, 2026 11: 43pm.
• The federal administration has additionally approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and a number of districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5.
• KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi requested that the PTI call off the Islamabad march after a deadly suicide bombing in the province's Dera Ismail Khan district.
• This is the one party that is the TTP's B-team and the TTA's C-team, he remarked, referring to the banned Tehreek-I-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Tehreek-I-Taliban Afghanistan.
• Moreover, Afridi remarked that the federal administration had 52 days to consider these demands, claiming the Centre was seeking time to discuss the problems.

Bureau Report Published September 26, 2026 Updated September 26, 2026 11: 43pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday struck a conciliatory tone, offering to resolve problems with the federal administration through dialogue but cautioned that any "misadventure" could result in serious repercussions.

In practice, the PTI had been gearing up for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan. This person is at present incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. Nevertheless, CM Afridi unveiled a day ago that the march has been postponed to Oct 4.

Speaking to journalists during an informal discussion at KP House, Afridi remarked that his party had agreed to postpone the march to try and find amicable solutions to the matters through dialogue.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that any "misadventure" could lead the situation to a point of no return.

"We are not an armed group", he asserted. "We want problems resolved through dialogue. No one has refused to engage in a dialogue."

As well as granting him access to his lawyers, relatives and the court-nominated 18 party members, the KP CM insisted that the PTI's demands were genuine, including allowing Imran medical treatment at a private hospital in Islamabad.

CM Afridi stressed that he had approached courts and written to the federal administration for permission to meet the jailed ex-premier, but was "forced" to announce the Islamabad march in August as worries regarding Imran's health persisted.

Asked regarding speculations regarding the imposition of governor's rule in KP, the chief minister stated his supporters will be "on the road on a 24-hour notice". "They would not be able to afford my removal, " he contended.

Asked if there was any probable successor in the event of his removal from his office, the KP CM replied that it would be Imran's prerogative. After the PTI founder had informed Ali Amin Gandapur to resign, afridi had been elected as the chief minister in October 2025.

In practice, the chief minister additionally criticised his counterpart in Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and others for allegedly singling out Pakhtuns, claiming that there was a "well-hatched conspiracy" to divide Pakistan.

"We are patriotic Pakistanis, and we are peaceful individuals. We will not allow any conspiracy to succeed, " he remarked.

Defending his performance as the chief minister, Afridi highlighted that his administration met high revenue targets and provided resources to the police to fight terrorism in the province.

For context, the PTI leader additionally reiterated his criticism of the federal government's current Afghanistan policy and its failure to overcome terrorism.

Afridi recalled that he had presented his own plan to the country's military and civilian leadership to restore peace in the province by re-engaging with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, reopening the border and ending the distinction between the so-called "good and bad Taliban".

Shortly after the decision to postpone the long march, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Achakzai for direct negotiations, apparently in a bid to ensure political stability in the country.

According to a source close to the prime minister, PM Shehbaz extended the invitation for dialogue, but no response had so far been received from the opposition leader. "Yes, but nothing yet, " the source remarked.

Meanwhile, a PTI spokesman conf­irmed that the opposition leader had received the prime minister's invitation.

Meanwhile, in the Rawalpindi Division and the federal capital territory, security measures and preparations to accord with any emergency situation remain in place despite the postponement of the march.

Punjab had already imposed a ban on gatherings throughout the province until Oct 5 and prohibited inciting residents to "unlawful assembly". A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

For context, the federal administration has additionally approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and a number of districts of Punjab from Sept 20 to Oct 5. Governor asks PTI to call off march after DI Khan bombing.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi requested that the PTI call off the Islamabad march after a deadly suicide bombing in the province's Dera Ismail Khan district. It left 12 dead and 30 injured.

"Considering today's tragic suicide attack in DI Khan and the overall law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, I'd advise the CM and leadership to unconditionally call off the long march, " he wrote on X.

"Our individuals need a united front. At a time when our province is facing the devastating consequences of terrorism, we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder with our police and security forces, in this fight against terrorism, " Kundi continued.

He implored Afridi to put political differences aside and stand together as one.

"Our individuals are paying the rate in blood. They deserve solidarity, security and leadership focused on protecting their lives. This is the time to stand with KP, stand with our individuals and stand with those defending them, " he wrote. Info minister calls Afridi a 'coward'.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Tarar defended the Centre's counterterrorism policy and slammed the KP chief minister for his stance on the matter.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside the prime minister's coordinator for KP Ikhtiar Wali, Tarar remarked: Sohail Khan Afridi has lost his credibility and does not fight terrorists.

"Why do I call him a coward? This is the one party that is the TTP's B-team and the TTA's C-team, " he remarked, referring to the banned Tehreek-I-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Tehreek-I-Taliban Afghanistan.

"He does not want to take ownership of operations against terrorists, nor does he believe in them. Since of cowardice, " Tarar went on, nor has he done anything.

He asserted that the PTI had become weaker than ever and lost its political standing, alleging that the party had links with terrorists and was reluctant to condemn militant activities.

"You don't want to fight terrorism, and you are finished on the political front as well."

Notably, the minister asserted, "Our policy is not cowardice. We say openly that terrorists will be eliminated completely."

Recognising the sacrifices created by the police and security forces, Tarar emphasised that the administration was determined to completely eliminate terrorism.

"In 2026, over 4, 600 suicide attacks may have happened, over 400 people may have been killed and over 1, 500 injured, but will the provincial government listen?" he remarked.

Speaking regarding the PTI's march, he contended, "They said they will come for the march at their own time You can claim it is your choice, but it is not your decision and it is not your march."

In an X post in the evening, seemingly in response to Tarar's remarks, Afridi asserted that his party was fully prepared for the march.

"Our workers are eager for a peaceful long march. In any emergency situation, hundreds of thousands of our workers will be on the streets within a 24-hour deadline, " the PTI leader remarked.

For now, KP CM Afridi open to dialogue with govt but warns against ' misadventure&#039 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.