“I will reach Karachi no matter what”: KP CM Sohail Afridi defies roadblocks

Sohail Afridi made the remarks while addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers at the Tando Jam Toll Plaza, Umar and Hyderabad during his journey toward Karachi.

HYDERABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has vowed to reach Karachi despite any obstacles placed along his route, saying he will not leave Sindh without reaching the port city.

Sohail Afridi made the remarks while addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers at the Tando Jam Toll Plaza, Umar and Hyderabad during his journey toward Karachi.

Addressing PTI supporters, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister conveyed a message to Bilawal Zardari saying that he should acknowledge that the actions being taken were being carried out by his government.

“If not, then name those who are responsible,” Afridi said, questioning the measures being taken to restrict their movement. He added that such actions were not in line with the traditions of Sindh.

Afridi reiterated his determination to reach Karachi, saying that he would not leave Sindh until he had reached the city. He also referred to the traditional hospitality of Sindh saying that the province had a tradition of welcoming guests.

He said that no matter how many roadblocks or obstacles were placed along the route he would still make his way to Karachi.

During his address Afridi also accused political opponents of undermining the public mandate saying that the mandate of people not only in Hyderabad but across Pakistan had been compromised.

He alleged that those responsible had not been sincere with Pakistan in the past and would not be sincere in the future. According to Afridi such political figures had consistently placed their personal interests above national interests.

The KP chief minister also criticized what he described as the dominance of certain political families in Punjab and Sindh, saying that governments in the two provinces had traditionally been formed by specific families.

Afridi highlighted his own political background, saying that he was a worker who, like ordinary party supporters, had previously travelled to political gatherings on foot and by rickshaw.

He said PTI provides opportunities to ordinary people to rise to positions of political leadership including becoming chief minister.

Afridi further said that the younger generation would eventually take responsibility for running Pakistan and urged PTI workers to remain committed to their political struggle.

His remarks come amid heightened political activity surrounding PTI’s planned gathering in Karachi and reports of restrictions on movement and permission for the event.