Government, Opposition exchange barbs over allegations of creating hurdles during Sohail Afridi’s visit to Provincial Assembly
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government was determined to pressure Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan into submission – a move he said was pushing Pakistan deeper into political, economic and social turmoil.
Speaking at a press conference at the Punjab Assembly on Friday, he said nations collapse when their leaders focus on intimidating their opponents instead of tackling real challenges. He said the restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder clearly revealed the government’s misplaced priorities at a time when citizens were grappling with insecurity, inflation and unemployment.
Afridi said he had gone to Lahore to meet the party organization members, but alleged that the police at Chakri Interchange resorted to rude behavior and arbitrary arrests. He called the government “illegitimate” and accused it of using fascist tactics against PTI workers and elected officials.
On the economy, the KP chief minister claimed that the upward movement in the stock market was artificially driven by political engineering. He added that the country’s debt had increased from 43 billion rupees to almost 80,000 billion rupees, as major industries packed up and left the country.
Afridi mocked past claims by leaders who had pledged to sell their belongings to settle the national debt, alleging that instead, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had been sold. “This is the current state of economic governance,” he said, adding that ordinary Pakistanis now feel insecure and deeply uncertain about the future.
Afridi further claimed that crucial decisions were being imposed behind closed doors, without transparency, while industrial activity and economic growth continued to decline. He argued that government priorities had become so skewed that silencing political opponents had completely replaced real governance.
Condemning what he called harassment of PTI leaders and workers, he said parliamentarians and activists were subjected to humiliation and intimidation.
Learn more: KP CM criticizes police for barricading their way to Lahore
Earlier, confusion and tension reigned in the Punjab Assembly, amid reports that the KP CM may face hurdles in accessing the provincial legislature, prompting the opposition to warn of strong protests if restrictions were imposed. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Moin Riaz Qureshi told reporters earlier in the day that Afridi and his cabinet members were guests of the Punjab Assembly.
He welcomed the KP Chief Minister and said Afridi would address the opposition members inside the House. Qureshi said a complete list of invitees had been submitted to the assembly secretariat and warned that any attempt to arrest or mistreat the delegation would trigger a protest march.
Later, Assembly sources confirmed that the Punjab Assembly Secretariat had formally approved the entry of the KP Chief Minister and his delegation. The approved list included provincial ministers, cabinet members, senators, MPs, MPs and other political figures. The delegation was cleared by assembly security and Afridi was expected to meet and address opposition members before leaving.
The situation inside the house escalated when Qureshi raised a point of order, alleging that ‘fascism’ had returned to Punjab. He said police were carrying out nighttime raids and even arresting teenagers and party supporters. He alleged that the residences of senior PTI leaders, including Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Aslam Iqbal, were raided and their family members taken into custody.
Questioning the government’s law and order claims, Qureshi cited an alleged murder case in which he said the accused was still at large. Qureshi demanded notification of what he called violations of the sanctity of homes and questioned the justification of police action against PTI workers.
Opposition MP Rana Aftab Ahmed also spoke, saying the opposition members reached the assembly despite difficulties and asserting that they were ideological politicians. He complained about restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder and alleged harassment in the form of threats to implicate his family members in cases.
Vice President Zaheer Iqbal Channar said he had no information about the searches at workers’ houses, but clarified that the KP CM was declared a guest of Punjab and was allowed to enter the assembly.
Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar also denied any restrictions on Afridi’s visit, saying any complaints about the police action should be lodged with the relevant authorities. Tensions further escalated before question time as members from both sides traded allegations.
Opposition MP Waqas Maan accused the government of ordering night raids and turning Punjab into a “battleground” ahead of Afridi’s visit. PML-N MP Rana Arshad rejected the claims, saying peace would not be disturbed and confirming formal approval of Afridi’s visit.
Vice President Channar then directed the provincial minister to submit a detailed written report to the House on the alleged arrests of opposition workers. Welcoming the decision to honor the KP chief minister as a guest, he said opposition members had the right to welcome their leader.
The session was then adjourned due to lack of quorum, and the debates were postponed until December 29 at 2 p.m.
