Sohail Afridi due in Lahore on Monday amid PTI worker crackdown

LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is due to arrive in Lahore today (Monday) and is expected to visit the family of PTI worker Ishtiaq Ahmed, who died after suffering severe burns, according to the chief minister.

Afridi said he would visit Ishtiaq Ahmed’s home in Lahore and later announce the future course of action for the PTI’s “Punjab Street Movement”.

In a statement posted on X, the chief minister alleged that PTI workers in Lahore were facing a crackdown and illegal arrests.

He claimed that Ishtiaq Ahmed was allegedly pushed into a container of hot oil during a police operation against PTI workers while they were preparing for Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.

Afridi said Ishtiaq suffered severe burns and died from his injuries.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” he said while expressing grief over the death.

The chief minister strongly criticised what he described as the treatment of PTI workers by the Punjab government and its alleged handlers.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, a crackdown against PTI workers is continuing in Rawalpindi, with police detaining 55 party workers so far, according to police sources.

The police action comes after PTI announced a long march for September 27. Police have increased operations against party workers across Rawalpindi ahead of the planned protest.

According to police sources, targeted operations have been carried out in different areas of the city. They said 55 PTI workers had so far been taken into custody.

Police sources said the operation could become more extensive in the coming days. They said lists of other active PTI workers had reportedly been prepared for possible arrests.

The sources said law enforcement agencies had identified workers considered active in the party.

PTI has said its September 27 protest will be peaceful and has asked supporters to take part in it.

The party has also alleged that its workers are being targeted ahead of the planned long march.

Authorities, however, have continued their actions as preparations for the September 27 event move forward.

The legal grounds for the detention of the 55 workers were not immediately available.

The latest developments have increased political tensions in Lahore and Rawalpindi. PTI leaders and supporters are expected to closely watch the situation as the September 27 protest approaches.

Afridi’s planned visit to Lahore is also expected to draw attention as the chief minister meets the family of the deceased PTI worker and discusses the party’s next course of action in Punjab.