Challenges rivals to show strength, rejects claims that PTI’s influence is waning in Punjab
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo:X
LAHORE:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday announced that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday (today), turning a tightly controlled visit to Lahore into a challenge to an attempt to close it down politically.
The announcement came on the second day of his stay, after Afridi managed to reach the Freedom Roundabout on Friday evening, but was unable to deliver the planned address when a large contingent of police cordoned off all access routes, erected pickets and stifled the gathering.
The PTI leader brushed off claims that the party’s political footprint in the province had diminished and deplored the “attitude of the occupation government towards the guests.”
Addressing his supporters on the second day of his three-day visit to Lahore, Afridi said the rally would begin at 6 p.m. and would serve as a demonstration of the PTI’s continued presence and mobilization capacity in the heart of Punjab.
He also issued a direct challenge to political rivals, inviting them to hold a similar rally in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and offering them logistical assistance if necessary.
“They can choose any land they want,” Afridi said. “Let’s see who brings the most people. I’ll even arrange transportation for them if they can’t.”
Afridi arrived in Lahore on Friday and spent his first day meeting PTI supporters at various locations in the city. On Saturday, he visited the families of several incarcerated PTI leaders after authorities did not allow him to meet them at Kot Lakhpat jail.
The Chief Minister met the families of former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed. Visuals released by PTI showed Afridi meeting Qureshi’s children Zain and Meher Bano at their residence.
Political intolerance
Speaking to reporters during his visit, Afridi said he had formally sought permission to meet the jailed party leaders, but received no response from the Punjab government. He termed the incarceration of PTI leaders as “unjustified” and said their steadfastness had strengthened the party’s resolve.
“They are standing by Imran Khan despite health problems and sustained pressure,” he said, calling them a source of courage for PTI workers.
Afridi also criticized the Punjab government’s “attitude” towards his visit, saying the restrictions imposed on his movements reflected political intolerance.
TTAP Talks
Asked about the possibility of talks with the federal government, the KP chief minister said PTI founder Imran Khan had given responsibility for negotiations or protests to the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
While expressing support for the dialogue efforts, Afridi said he had also been tasked with preparing a street movement and would take those preparations “to their climax.”
Later in the day, Afridi continued his outreach by visiting the families of other party leaders and activists. He was unable to reach the residence of former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema after being denied entry into the cantonment area, according to PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha.
Afridi is also expected to visit the home of PTI worker Ali Bilal, also known as Zille Shah, who died during a protest in 2023. Party leaders accompanying the chief minister said a large number of PTI supporters are expected to gather in Lahore ahead of Sunday’s rally.
Collapse of the justice system
Speaking at the LHC premises, Afridi thanked the legal community for the respect and hospitality extended to him, saying the role of lawyers was crucial in the current political and constitutional situation.
Afridi also lamented the Punjab government and law enforcement agencies while addressing the bar community at the Lahore High Court (LHC), alleging that the judiciary had been paralyzed and constitutional rights were being violated.
He said the attitude of the “occupying government” of Punjab towards the guests was visible to all.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, the KP chief minister said the party leadership had asked workers to prepare for a street movement, adding that lawyers would play a key role in any future struggle.
He asserted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf strongly stood for judicial independence and supremacy of the Constitution.
Afridi alleged that the justice system had been rendered ineffective, saying that despite orders from three judges directing authorities to arrange his meeting with the PTI founder, a prison superintendent ignored and defied court orders.
He called it an alarming example of contempt for the judiciary.
He further quoted Imran Khan as saying that the Constitution and an independent judiciary were the only ways to restore justice in the country. Criticizing the Punjab Police, Afridi claimed that law enforcement agencies in the province had become a “rogue force”, acting illegally and suppressing political dissent.
FIR filed against PTI workers
A case was filed against PTI workers following a protest in Ghalib market area during the arrival of the KP chief minister, where protesters allegedly blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans.
According to the first information report filed at Ghalib Market police station on December 27, sub-inspector Imran Ahmed filed a case under sections 290 (public nuisance) and 291 (continuation of nuisance after injunction) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR states that the PTI activists blocked the road, raised slogans against the government and caused inconvenience to the public. Police arrested 13 people during the protest.
