ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has claimed that former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi was seeking approval from Afghanistan for a draft agreement prepared during negotiations.
Speaking to the media, Chaudhry said the dialogue process had begun on the prime minister’s instructions, adding that the government had initially been optimistic about reaching a successful outcome.
According to the minister, a fourth draft was prepared during the negotiations and required approval from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister. He claimed that, based on the information available to him, Afridi was seeking approval for the document from Afghanistan.
The allegation adds a new dimension to the political dispute surrounding the negotiations. However, the statement reflects the minister’s claim, and the report does not provide an independent confirmation of the alleged communication with Afghanistan.
Sohail Afridi Negotiations: What Did Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Say?
Chaudhry said the government had entered the negotiations with considerable hope that the discussions would produce a meaningful agreement.
He explained that the fourth draft was an important part of the process and was awaiting approval from the provincial chief executive. The minister alleged that the approval was being sought from across the border rather than being secured directly.
The minister did not provide further details about the alleged communication or identify the individuals involved in obtaining the approval.
Mahmood Achakzai Highlights Need for Imran Khan Meeting
Chaudhry also referred to media reports concerning Mahmood Achakzai and his position on the negotiations.
According to the federal minister, Achakzai had maintained that the process could not move forward without a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan.
Chaudhry said the negotiations included a proposed timeframe for the meeting, along with a mechanism intended to provide a credible resolution to the dispute.
He suggested that if the outstanding issues had been resolved at that stage, the political situation might have developed differently.
Minister Predicts Resistance to PTI Assembly Resignations
Addressing the possibility of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers resigning from the assemblies, Chaudhry said around 40 members would not submit their resignations if the party decided to pursue that course.
His remarks suggest that a potential resignation drive could face resistance from within PTI’s parliamentary ranks.
The minister did not identify the lawmakers he was referring to or provide further details about the circumstances under which they might decline to resign.
The comments come amid continuing political tensions and renewed attention on negotiations, the proposed meeting with Imran Khan, and the future course of PTI’s parliamentary strategy.
