Says Sohail Afridi ‘not going anywhere’, PTI weighs options for Imran’s release
Senior PTI leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. Photo: File
Former Speaker of the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Thursday strongly dismissed rumors of any change in the leadership of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying Chief Minister Sohail Afridi would not be going anywhere.
speaks to Express PakinomistQaiser said changing chief ministers was not “child’s play” that could be done “morning and night”.
“There is no truth in the news of any change in the Chief Minister. InshaAllah, Sohail Afridi will remain the Chief Minister,” he claimed.
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Qaiser also addressed the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan, describing them as politically motivated and baseless. He said Imran was unjustly imprisoned and was “a prisoner of conscience” enduring difficult times for the sake of Pakistan.
“He has always stood for the supremacy of the constitution, law and parliament,” Qaiser added.
The PTI leader said the party was considering all options for Imran’s release.
“We will start a movement. We are in touch with the courts and the people. Whatever decision is taken, we will implement it,” he said.
However, he categorically denied any backdoor negotiations, deals or contacts with the government for Imran’s release and said no formal negotiations took place.
Commenting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement in the National Assembly on a proposed democracy charter, Qaiser welcomed the idea.
He said the first point of such a charter should be the holding of fresh elections and ensuring the supremacy of Parliament.
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“We absolutely agree that there should be a charter of democracy,” he said. “There must be an electoral commission that ensures clean, transparent and fair elections.”
Referring to the prime minister’s offer to audit the 2018 and 2024 elections, Qaiser said PTI accepted the proposal and was ready for an independent audit through a credible commission or a credible forum that enjoyed the confidence of all parties.
On internal party affairs, Qaiser acknowledged that some PTI members were unhappy.
“They are our friends and party workers. Their reservations are valid,” he said, adding that PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and provincial president Junaid Akbar had already met them.
“Steps will be taken soon to address their concerns,” he said.
