ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the worsening security situation in the province following recent militant attacks.
According to PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, the meeting mainly focused on terrorism-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the deadly violence in Bannu where security forces, police, and local peace committee members confronted militants in a major operation.
The recent clashes in Bannu left two police officials and two civilians martyred, while security forces reportedly killed 25 militants during the operation.
Akram said the discussions centered on improving coordination between institutions and strengthening response mechanisms to combat terrorism in the province. He stressed that the meeting was entirely related to law and order and did not involve political negotiations.
The PTI leader also dismissed claims circulating on social media that Aleema Khan, sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, attended the meeting. Responding to the reports, he clarified that only Chief Minister Afridi and Barrister Gohar participated in the talks with the interior minister.
Aleema Khan also denied being part of the meeting, saying neither she nor any family member had prior knowledge of the discussions.
Later, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated on social media that the meeting solely addressed terrorism incidents in Bannu and the broader security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rejecting speculation about any political agenda behind the contact.
Sources said the meeting took place at Barrister Gohar’s residence in Islamabad amid growing concern over militant violence in the province.
Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over access to party founder Imran Khan, claiming he has not been allowed regular meetings despite court orders permitting weekly visits by family members, lawyers, and associates.
The party has also intensified demands for Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital in Islamabad after he was diagnosed earlier this year with a serious eye condition known as central retinal vein occlusion.
