MARDAN:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday signaled his readiness for a show of political strength in the federal capital, saying he had conveyed to incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan that the party and its supporters were ready to move to Islamabad at short notice.
Addressing a lively public rally organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Mardan, he said: “I conveyed to him that I am ready, the nation is ready, the Pakistanis are ready… If you give us the go-ahead, we will be in Islamabad the next day.”
He added that Imran Khan had asked him to consult Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan leaders Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and he would remain attentive to such advice.
The chief minister accused the federal government of trying to force Imran Khan into submission through what he called “baseless and fabricated cases” against him and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
He denounced the “cruelty and injustice” against Imran Khan, his sisters and Bushra Bibi, and criticized the restrictions imposed on their access to medical care of their choice, calling them “pure injustice” and “unconstitutional”.
He demanded their immediate release.
Announcing a Rs50 billion development package for Mardan, Afridi said the provincial government remained committed to balanced and inclusive development in line with Imran Khan’s political vision.
He pointed to the rally’s high turnout as evidence of sustained public support, noting that the daytime rally, held on party instructions, demonstrated mobilizing capacity and contradicted claims of waning support.
Outlining the party’s roadmap, he said visits to Azad Jammu and Kashmir were planned on April 25 to coincide with the party’s founding day, followed by a visit to Lahore on May 1 as part of an ongoing street movement led by Imran Khan.
He reiterated his alignment with the party leadership and political direction and announced that a future session of the provincial assembly would be convened in an open public setting.
Afridi said protest activities would continue until proper medical access was ensured for Imran Khan and his wife, including access to personal doctors and family members, in accordance with due process and humanitarian considerations.
He also expressed concerns regarding governance, referring to public perceptions regarding access to justice and emphasizing the need to respect transparency, legal guarantees and fundamental rights.
On law and order, he attributed the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to the “failed policies” of the federal government, adding that peace in the province had already been restored due to Imran Khan’s “effective and good policies” and he would continue to follow it.
He reiterated his support for dialogue-based approaches, saying the ongoing regional engagement aligns with positions long held by Imran Khan.
On the economic front, the chief minister said GDP growth declined from around 6 per cent during Imran Khan’s tenure to around 2-2.5 per cent, while public debt increased from Rs 50 billion to around Rs 81 billion, including an addition of Rs 31 billion in the last three years.
He also cited a rise in fuel prices from around Rs 150 per liter to over Rs 360, contributing to inflationary pressures.
He said the burden had disproportionately affected farmers, laborers and low-income households, leading to lower purchasing power and increased vulnerability, adding that “most people are ready to commit suicide because of poverty.”
He added that after “power was wrested” from Imran Khan, prices soared and economic conditions deteriorated.
Referring to political developments, he said that following a “regime change brought about by a foreign conspiracy,” subsequent developments had increased uncertainty and reflected the concentration of influence among elite segments.
However, Afridi welcomed the hosting of the US-Iran talks in Islamabad, saying Pakistan should be credited for facilitating dialogue aimed at restoring regional peace.
He added that consultations would continue with key stakeholders including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as directed by Imran Khan.
The chief minister congratulated party organizers, parliamentarians and the public for the high turnout, while senior leaders including Barrister Gohar, Junaid Akbar, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Asad Qaiser also addressed the gathering.
Meanwhile, a resolution presented by PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa general secretary and MP Ali Asghar Khan was unanimously adopted at the gathering, highlighting the widespread economic difficulties across the country.
The resolution said rising inflation, rising electricity tariffs, rising fuel prices and persistent load shedding have put a strain on households, contributing to unemployment, agricultural distress and vulnerability of workers and lower middle income groups.
He also raised concerns about governance and representation, saying administrations lacking electoral legitimacy are less responsive to the needs of the public, and stressed the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of the vote.
The resolution highlights the growing reliance on borrowing and associated budgetary pressures, as well as perceived imbalances in the distribution of the economic burden.
Calling for immediate and comprehensive medical care for Imran Khan and his wife, including access to his family members and personal doctors, the resolution also demands the release of all political detainees.
He urged citizens to exercise their democratic rights and raise their voices to demand accountability, while noting that meaningful participation in regional peace efforts requires national political stability and public trust.
The resolution further expresses solidarity with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and calls for settlement of outstanding financial obligations to the province, including arrears of hydel net profits, equitable allocation of NFCs and liabilities related to the erstwhile FATA merger.
He also called for an end to coercive practices, restoration of public mandate, targeted relief for farmers, support in the next budget and rationalization or removal of oil levies, reaffirming the party’s commitment to due process, access to justice and political rights.
“An important step for democracy and the rule of law”
Meanwhile, in a related development, Special Assistant to KP CM on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan said PTI’s large and successful public rally in Mardan was a clear proof of people’s confidence in the jailed party leader and his strong popular support.
He said the rally would be an important step in strengthening democracy, upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, and denouncing the injustices of the federal government, political victimization, alleged mandate theft and demand for release of Imran Khan.
He further noted that CM Afridi had announced a development package worth Rs50 billion for Mardan, aimed at improving facilities in health, education and other key sectors.
Shafi Jan added that under the leadership of CM Sohail Afridi, the successful street movements and large public rallies across the country demonstrate that all political tactics of the federal and Punjab governments have failed. Despite false and baseless political arguments, party activists remain firmly united with Imran Khan.
He said Imran Khan was unjustly imprisoned in trumped-up cases. However, prison difficulties and political pressure from the federal government, which he believes has no public mandate, have failed to weaken his resolve, determination, or public support.
He further said that the PTI’s public mandate had been “stolen” both at the federal level and in Punjab, leading to serious economic and political instability in the country. According to him, the governments formed under “Form 47” did not have as their objective public service but the acquisition of power by illegitimate means.
