Sohail Afridi backs PTI march, cites constitutional right

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that peaceful protest is a legal and constitutional right, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its planned long march towards Islamabad on September 27.

Addressing a provincial cabinet meeting in Peshawar on Wednesday, Afridi alleged that PTI workers, office-bearers and elected representatives had been targeted by unidentified individuals in plain clothes over the past several days.

The chief minister claimed that Communications and Works Minister Shakil Khan had survived an alleged assassination attempt as well as an attempted abduction. He further alleged that Public Health Engineering Minister Fazal Shakoor was abducted by unidentified men who also opened fire on his vehicle.

Afridi questioned the security situation in the province, asking how ordinary citizens could feel safe if members of the provincial cabinet were allegedly being targeted.

He also criticised statements attributed to PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and security threats.

The KP chief minister further announced that routes connecting the province with other parts of the country would be closed from Wednesday. He said people would not be allowed to enter or leave the province, while the rest of the country would remain open.

Afridi questioned the reasons behind the proposed restrictions and raised concerns about what he described as a possible conspiracy against the province. He stressed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained an integral part of Pakistan.

The chief minister also alleged that officials, including bureaucrats, police officers, deputy commissioners and district police officers, were being threatened and pressured by people in plain clothes. He urged officials not to follow what he described as unlawful orders.

Afridi said PTI would continue with peaceful protests, arguing that the Constitution protects the right to demonstrate. He maintained that the party was protesting because, according to him, its concerns were not being heard through other channels.

He called on residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and people across Pakistan to remain calm and not panic.

Meanwhile, security preparations have intensified in Rawalpindi Division and Islamabad ahead of the PTI’s planned march and other possible protests. Authorities are preparing measures to maintain security and respond to potential emergencies.

Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had warned PTI against proceeding with the march and urged the party to reconsider its plan. He said the government would take measures to deal with the situation if the protest went ahead.