Winds of change appear to be blowing through the political landscape, with recent developments suggesting that prolonged tension between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and major stakeholders may be giving way to cautious engagement, according to sources familiar with the development.
With some recent confidence-building measures, the PML-N led coalition government may establish a contact with incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan, through Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, a key aide of PM disclosed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday.
The move comes on the heels of a major development on Tuesday where K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was named head of a new panel to oversee development work and counterterror operations in the province, a move widely seen as a sign of improving coordination after years of sharp differences over security policy.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, attended by the K-P chief minister, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the National Security Adviser, who happens to be the DG ISI, Corps Commander Peshawar, provincial cabinet members and senior officials.
The development comes after months of bickering between the province and the Centre over counterterrorism measures, including the Tirah operation in Khyber district, which exposed differences over security strategy.
Last week, the K-P chief minister and the prime minister met to mend differences, stressing the need for close cooperation between federal and provincial governments for the development and welfare of the people of K-P.
Security sources termed Tuesday's huddle in Peshawar a "positive sign" and said this would augur well for developing consensus on key national security issues.
The sources familiar with internal discussions indicate that following the ice breaking meeting in Peshawar, a softer approach is being considered towards K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reflecting broader efforts to reduce political tensions ahead of the key meetings.
Similarly, the Supreme Court move allowing Salman Safdar to have an extended meeting with Imran Khan on Tuesday in Adiala Jail is being seen as subtle signal, showing softening of approach towards the PTI.
Ikhtiar Wali Khan, the Prime Minister's coordinator for K-P affairs, confirmed that the situation in K-P will improve as all stakeholders are now aligned.
He laid out the immediate political calendar, saying two major meetings are expectedone with Imran Khan and one with the prime minister both involving Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
A meeting between Achakzai and the prime minister is expected by Thursday. "If it does not happen then, it will take place next week before Ramazan. Ikhtiar Wali Khan added a political twist, saying that after this meeting, Achakzai's countdown from Imran Khan's side will begin."
Explaining further, he said Imran Khan prefers "bad boys" and does not work well with compliant figures.
So if the 'bad boys' start turning into 'good boys,' how would that suit him?" he asked.
At this point, for Imran Khan, Sohail Afridi's example has become similar to what Ali Amin Gandapur once was. After meeting the prime minister, Achakzai may become Umar Ayub, suggesting Imran Khan may no longer want him to operate as a major opposition leader.
Speaking about lowering political temperature in the country, Wali said that dialogue will happen soon and will be directly with the government, without the involvement of power corridors or intermediaries.
Meanwhile, the PTI, too, has signaled a soft approach towards the authorities. According to Junaid Akbar, president of PTI's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, the party has consistently sought to maintain smooth relations with state institutions.
"We want the provincial government and institutions to remain on the same page, tolerate one another and recognize each other's constitutional positions," he told The Express Tribune, stressing it was essential to restore trust and peace in the province.
Akbar emphasized that any strategy devised jointly by institutions and the government would be more effective. "Otherwise, whichever government comes to power, if the establishment does not support it, it will not succeed and vice versa," he added.
He also pointed out that the first cabinet meeting after KP's government was formed was held at the Corps Commander's House a symbolic gesture reflecting a desire to build trust and coordinate from day one.
Akbar said the process of political engagement is slow. "So far, we have not seen any real progress. Political figures still do not have access to Imran Khan," he said.
He added that Salman Safdar's meeting happened only on the Supreme Court's orders, and that information on Imran Khan's health has not been shared with political actors, as per rules. "If access to him is granted, the situation will improve. The harsher the attitude adopted, the more hatred will grow, and no one will gain anything," he said.
He noted that opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai was supposed to meet the Prime Minister on Friday, but the meeting was postponed due to foreign guests. "If he comes tomorrow or soon for a meeting, he will be welcomed. We want political forces to come closer to one another," he said.
Both he and Junaid Akbar underscored the importance of direct communication and cooperation among provincial, federal, and institutional actors, a shift in tone analysts see as a possible signal of de-escalation after months of friction.
