Afridi, top PTI leaders taken into custody: Talal

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has confirmed that former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Sohail Afridi and several members of his cabinet have been taken into preventive custody following the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province.

Speaking to Reuters on Monday, Chaudhry said the detentions took place on Sunday. He added that individuals facing cases would be charged and tried in accordance with the law, while those without cases would be released.

The confirmation came a day after KP Information Minister Shafi Jan claimed that Afridi had been arrested and urged people across the province to gather in Peshawar. At the time, no federal government official had publicly confirmed the detention.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Peshawar said Afridi remained in protective custody. According to the police official, eight senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders had been taken into protective custody following the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule. Those detained included Afridi, PTI leader Junaid Akbar and KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.

The police official also confirmed the arrest of 169 PTI workers during a crackdown in Swabi. The arrests were carried out in several areas, including Shewa Adda, Yar Hussain, Razar, Swabi Khas, Topi, Lahor and Gadoon.

The detained workers reportedly included local party office-bearers and active supporters. Police said the action was taken amid concerns that preparations for PTI’s ongoing long march, which began on October 4, could affect law and order.

A heavy police contingent has been deployed across Swabi, with authorities indicating that further arrests could follow.

The detentions came after President Asif Ali Zardari approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recommendation to impose emergency rule in KP amid worsening security concerns and tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration.

The federal government’s proclamation alleged that the provincial administration had failed to take adequate measures against terrorism and referred to the governor’s report concerning the functioning of the constitutional system.

Issued under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution, the proclamation declared that the provincial government could not operate in accordance with constitutional requirements under the prevailing circumstances. It authorised the federal government to assign some or all provincial executive functions to the governor, while powers exercised by the provincial assembly would be transferred to Parliament or exercised under its authority.

Following the decision, the chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general ceased to hold their offices with immediate effect.

The federal government also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel and resources under Article 245 to assist in protecting citizens, property and government installations during the emergency.

As part of the administrative changes, the Centre assumed control of provincial affairs, established an 11-member advisory council and introduced a special administrative structure covering 12 districts. Sanaullah Advocate was appointed provincial advocate general.

The imposition of governor’s rule and the detention of senior PTI figures have further intensified political tensions between the federal government and the opposition party. PTI has rejected the emergency measures as unconstitutional and vowed to continue its political struggle.