Achakzai, Senator Nasir Abbas given mandate for negotiations, protests, says KP CM

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder had delegated all authority regarding negotiations with the government or launching a political movement to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senator Allama Nasir Abbas.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Jamrud, the chief minister said the future political strategy of the party would now be formulated in consultation with these leaders. He added that another key directive from the PTI founder is to launch a street movement, for which practical preparations have already begun.

“We will not rest until the street movement succeeds. The party activists are fully active and mobilized,” Afridi said.

Commenting on the situation in Tirah Valley, the chief minister said he was not aware of any displacement taking place in the region. However, he said he was very concerned about reports that local residents were being forced to sign agreements under pressure. “This is a worrying development,” he remarked.

He said that if a formal question regarding the difficulties faced by the people of Tirah Valley was brought to him, he would raise the issue and ensure protection of public rights. Afridi further clarified that no government official had contacted him so far regarding a possible operation in the area.

Talking about the development of the merged tribal districts, the chief minister recalled that he had already announced a development package of Rs 1,000 billion for these areas. He said the government was taking serious steps to integrate the merged districts into the national mainstream and provide basic facilities to their residents.

CM Afridi reiterated that all decisions aimed at resolving public issues and ensuring political stability would be taken through consultation and within the constitutional framework, stressing that no compromise would be made on the interests of the people of the province.

Qaiser calls for observing ‘Black Day’ on February 8

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan Secretary General Asad Qaiser has appealed to transporters and the business community to help observe a ‘Black Day’ on February 8.

In a statement, Qaiser said February 8 would be marked as Black Day under the banner of Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan to protest against what he described as the denial of constitutional and democratic rights of the people during the general elections held on February 8, 2024.

He said the people’s fundamental and constitutional right to vote was taken away in these elections, calling it a serious attack on democracy. “It is now up to the people to decide whether they will elect their representatives through transparent elections or whether they will allow decisions about their fate to be made by people sitting in offices,” he added.

Warning the public, the former National Assembly Speaker said if citizens did not protect their right to vote, their voices would not be heard at any level. He questioned the work of the current assembly, asking it to point out even a single piece of legislation or action taken in public interest that would have brought real relief to the people.

He said inflation, unemployment and anarchy were continuously increasing in the country, while government policies were completely against public interests and were designed for a specific class and elite.

Referring to the election results, the PTI leader said that on February 8, the people had awarded PTI 180 seats, while Nawaz Sharif’s party got only 17 seats, but the party with 17 seats currently holds the reins of governance, legislation and policy-making.

He urged the population to come out en masse on February 8 to defend their right to vote. He also called on the transport community to fully participate in the strike and called on the trade community to observe a shutdown strike.

Qaiser said that on February 8, the people of Pakistan must send a clear message to the world that they will not compromise on their constitutional and democratic rights, emphasizing that it is their fundamental right to choose their own leaders.