Challenging rivals to show strength, rejects claims of PTI’s waning influence in Punjab
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo: X
LAHORE:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would hold a public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday (today), making a tightly controlled Lahore visit a challenge to an attempt to fence him in politically.
The announcement came on the second day of his stay after Afridi managed to reach the Liberty Roundabout late on Friday night but was unable to deliver a planned address as a heavy police contingent blocked all access roads, staged pickets and effectively stifled the gathering.
The PTI leader brushed aside allegations that the party’s political footprint in the province has shrunk and lamented the “occupation government’s attitude towards guests”.
Addressing supporters on the second day of his three-day visit to Lahore, Afridi said the demonstration would begin at 18 and will serve as a demonstration of PTI’s continued presence and mobilization capacity in the heartland of Punjab.
He also issued a direct challenge to political rivals, inviting them to organize a similar gathering in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and offer logistical assistance if needed.
“They can choose any ground of their choice,” Afridi said. “Let’s see who brings more people. I’ll even arrange transportation for them if they can’t.”
Afridi arrived in Lahore on Friday and spent his first day meeting PTI supporters at various places in the city. On Saturday, he visited the families of several jailed PTI leaders after authorities did not allow him to meet them in Kot Lakhpat jail.
The Chief Minister met the families of former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed. Visuals released by PTI showed Afridi meeting Qureshi’s children, Zain and Meher Bano, at their residence.
Political intolerance
Speaking to reporters during the visit, Afridi said he had formally sought permission to meet jailed party leaders but received no response from the Punjab government. He called the imprisonment of PTI leaders “wrong” and said their steadfastness had strengthened the party’s resolve.
“They are standing with Imran Khan despite health problems and continuous pressure,” he said, calling them a source of courage for PTI workers.
Afridi also criticized the Punjab government’s “attitude” towards his visit, saying restrictions on his movements reflected political intolerance.
TTAP speaks
Asked about the possibility of talks with the federal government, the KP chief minister said PTI founder Imran Khan had assigned the responsibility of talks or protests to the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
While expressing support for the dialogue effort, Afridi said he had also been instructed to prepare for a street movement and would take those preparations “to their peak”.
Later in the day, Afridi continued his scheme by visiting the families of additional party leaders and activists. He was unable to visit former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema’s residence after being denied entry into the cantonment area, according to PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha.
Afridi is also scheduled to visit the home of PTI worker Ali Bilal, also known as Zille Shah, who died during a protest in 2023. Party leaders accompanying the chief minister said a large number of PTI supporters were expected to gather in Lahore ahead of Sunday’s rally.
Breakdown of legal system
Speaking at the LHC premises, Afridi thanked the legal fraternity for the respect and hospitality extended to him and said the role of lawyers was crucial in the prevailing political and constitutional situation.
Afridi also lambasted the Punjab government and law enforcement agencies while addressing the bar at the Lahore High Court (LHC), alleging that the judicial system had been paralyzed and constitutional rights were being violated.
He said the attitude of the “occupation government” in Punjab towards guests was visible to all.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, the KP chief minister said the party leadership had asked the workers to prepare for a street movement, adding that lawyers would play a key role in any future struggle.
He asserted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stood firm with judicial independence and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Afridi alleged that the justice system had been rendered ineffective and claimed that despite orders from three judges directing the authorities to arrange his meeting with the PTI founder, a prison warden had ignored and defied the court orders.
He termed this as an alarming example of contempt for the judiciary.
He further quoted Imran Khan as saying that the constitution and an independent judiciary were the only means to restore justice in the country. Afridi criticized the Punjab police, claiming that law enforcement in the province had turned into a “rogue force” that acted illegally and suppressed political dissent.
FIR lodged against PTI workers
A case has been registered against PTI workers following a protest in the Ghalib Market area during the arrival of the KP Chief Minister, where protesters allegedly blocked roads and shouted anti-government slogans.
According to the first information report filed at Ghalib Market police station on December 27, Sub-Inspector Imran Ahmed filed the complaint under Sections 290 (public nuisance) and 291 (continuing nuisance after prohibition) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR states that PTI activists blocked the road, raised slogans against the government and caused public inconvenience. The police arrested 13 people during the protest.
