Peshawar( The COW News Digital)Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi held a one-on-one meeting with Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Umar Ahmed Bukhari, where both discussed the province’s overall security situation and the current law and order challenges.
According to security sources, the meeting was strictly one-to-one, with no other officials present from either side. The interaction took place at the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar and is described as a courtesy call ahead of the upcoming peace jirga scheduled in the province.
The sources confirmed that both leaders engaged in a detailed exchange regarding counterterrorism efforts, border security, and measures to maintain peace across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the newly merged tribal districts. The chief minister and the corps commander also reviewed recent security operations and coordination mechanisms between civil and military institutions.
During the discussion, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation between the provincial government and the Pakistan Army to ensure long-term peace and stability. He emphasized that restoring law and order is the government’s top priority and praised the security forces for their sacrifices in combating terrorism.
Lt Gen Umar Ahmed Bukhari reaffirmed the military’s support for the civilian administration in addressing internal security threats and rebuilding confidence among the local population. He highlighted the importance of joint strategy and intelligence sharing to neutralize militant networks and prevent cross-border infiltration.
The meeting comes at a sensitive time as terror incidents in the province have seen a spike in recent months, prompting renewed coordination between civil and military leadership. It also follows a series of high-level interactions between Islamabad and Peshawar amid ongoing discussions about national counterterrorism policies.
Observers note that this exclusive meeting marks a shift in approach, as former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had met the corps commander earlier this year along with his full cabinet. In contrast, CM Sohail Afridi chose a one-on-one format, underscoring the strategic importance of direct communication between provincial and military leadership.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to maintain close contact in the coming weeks to ensure the success of upcoming peace initiatives and development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
