Scolds against ‘stolen mandate’ in 2024 polls and warns of intensified street movement
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi addresses a crowd during a street movement tour in Swabi on Saturday. Photo: Express
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi on Saturday announced a nationwide shutdown on February 8 to protest the alleged theft of the people’s mandate in the general election and to demand the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
In fiery speeches delivered during a street movement tour in Swabi district, including in Shewa Adda, Topi and Anbar, Afridi called for a complete shutdown across Pakistan.
He urged the citizens to keep all shops, markets, businesses, trucks, rickshaws, CNG pumps and other commercial activities closed today. “On February 8, stay home. Nothing will move,” he said, perceiving the action as a peaceful demonstration under the banner of protecting the constitution.
Afridi emphasized that the one-day protest focuses on securing Imran’s freedom.
“We will secure his release and make him prime minister,” he said, adding that public support remained the party’s biggest strength. He accused the federal government of violating the constitution and the law by stealing PTI’s mandate in the February 8, 2024 elections.
The KP chief minister highlighted concerns over Imran’s health, claiming that an eye surgery was carried out “in the dark of night” without informing his family or personal doctors.
Requests for meetings with Imran by his relatives and doctors have been repeatedly rejected, he claimed, despite PTI leaders’ protests, including sit-ins outside Adiala jail and the Supreme Court.
Afridi denied attempts at intimidation, stated that he was not afraid and dismissed accusations that labeled him a “smuggler”. He referred to the Tirah operation as an attempt to turn the Pakhtuns against him, but claimed that the street movement had already disrupted the government’s nights.
Read: Federal govt terms Khyber jirga as ‘indictment’ against KP govt, seeks apology
“This time we are fully prepared to go on the field and change the country’s system and destiny,” he warned, urging all Pakistanis to get ready.
He praised the visible passion and fervor in people’s eyes, claiming it surpassed anything seen in his 18 years of political experience. “The nation is honourable, and so is your chief minister,” Afridi said, promising that those trying to corner the PTI would find no place to hide once the public sought justice.
The announcement is in line with the opposition’s broader calls for protests on the second anniversary of the 2024 polls, which the PTI claims were rigged. Afridi stressed unity and challenged other political parties to mobilize crowds and join the cause of Imran’s release.
He said he spent days and nights protesting outside Adiala jail and the Supreme Court without access to Imran, which strengthened his resolve: “No one can stop us this time; hands tied with weak threads will break free.”
