Their only complaint against Prime Minister Sohail Afridi was his alleged inaction regarding Imran Khan’s release
PESHAWAR:
A group of dissident government lawmakers in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has openly expressed its displeasure and has sharply criticized the provincial leadership for not securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Led by former minister Mushtaq Ghani, the group announced its position through a strongly worded message on social media. Ghani categorically denied being part of any lobby or forward bloc and stated that their only grievance against Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was his alleged inaction on Imran Khan’s release.
“Our only agenda on one point is the release of Imran Khan,” Ghani declared. He described the ongoing movement for Khan’s freedom as “homeopathic” in approach, arguing that such methods would not yield results. “If we are going to sit in front of Parliament on June 10, then we should not get up until Khan is released,” he added.
The rise of the dissident has added a new layer of tension to the ruling coalition in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Ghani emphasized that the lawmakers were neither seeking personal gains nor aligned with any hidden faction, but were solely motivated by the demand for the immediate freedom of their party founders.
In response, Provincial Assembly Speaker Babar Salim Swati has moved swiftly to contain the brewing crisis. He met Mushtaq Ghani in Abbottabad on Saturday and assured him that the concerns of the dissidents would be addressed. Sources said the rebels were also offered seats in the provincial cabinet but sought time until today to consider.
A consultative meeting of the dissident group is scheduled for today in Peshawar, just before the provincial assembly session. The outcome of the meeting is being watched closely as any escalation could threaten the stability of the ruling setup in the province.
Political observers note that the development reflects growing frustration in PTI ranks over the party’s strategy regarding Imran Khan’s prolonged detention. The situation remains fluid as both the provincial government and the dissidents prepare for decisive deliberations.
