Nawaz Sharif Meeting: Shehbaz Briefs PML-N Leader on K-P Security and Economic Challenges

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra in Lahore on Sunday and briefed him on the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), economic challenges and the government’s ongoing reforms, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

According to the PMO, the two leaders held detailed consultations on national political matters and measures to improve the economy. Shehbaz also outlined the government’s efforts to address the country’s economic difficulties, with particular focus on economic reforms.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also attended the meeting.

The meeting came as electricity consumers faced another increase in power tariffs. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) notified a Rs2.36 per-unit increase on Saturday under the monthly fuel cost adjustment for September.

Rising electricity costs have added to concerns over expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and uncertainty surrounding fuel supplies. Pakistan is expected to spend around $1.29 billion on 22 LNG cargoes between November 2026 and February 2027. This includes 10 spot-market cargoes estimated to cost $863 million.

The Power Division has also warned that fuel price adjustments could increase two to three times between December and February. It cited rising international LNG and coal prices, along with lower hydropower generation during winter. Consumers could face higher bills and increased power load management.

The discussions on K-P came after emergency and governor’s rule were imposed in the province on October 11. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the summary on the prime minister’s advice under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

The federal government cited worsening law and order and an increase in terrorist attacks as reasons for the decision. Under the proclamation, the chief minister, provincial cabinet members, advisers and advocate general ceased to hold office. The governor assumed powers assigned to him by the federal government.

The measures also included deploying the Pakistan Army to assist the civil administration under Article 245. The government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as the province’s chief secretary and formed an 11-member advisory council to assist the governor. It also announced a separate administrative arrangement for 12 districts to be placed directly under federal control.

At a briefing in Peshawar on Saturday, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the provincial government had allocated Rs70 billion for the police and Rs10.3 billion for the Counter Terrorism Department during the current financial year.

The plans include installing anti-drone systems in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu. Authorities also intend to fill vacant police positions and improve security infrastructure. Officials estimate that the province needs around 17,000 additional police personnel.

Despite continued intelligence-based operations by security forces, terrorist attacks across K-P have persisted. Police and security personnel have increasingly come under attack.

Security reports presented to the federal cabinet recorded a 195 per cent increase in terrorist incidents in the province between March 2024 and September 2026. The reports also documented 170 drone attacks targeting police and security forces in 2026, compared with none in 2024.