Rana Arshad says KP’s entry into Punjab depends on compliance with law and no room will be given to incitement
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was arrested at a Punjab Police barricade near Chakri on Thursday while he was on his way to Lahore to attend the Punjab Assembly session, according to officials in his office.
Speaking at the scene, Afridi criticized the barricades, saying “closing accommodation and dining areas is a clear sign of fear.” He said Punjab officials were “not elected representatives of the people” and alleged that blocking the movements of public representatives was an attempt to suppress political activity.
“The public knows that fearful leaders make decisions behind closed doors,” says Sohail Afridi.
According to a statement issued on December 24 by the KP Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Afridi also addressed the Insaf Students’ Federation (ISF) workers, saying that the PTI and its affiliated bodies “base their politics on resistance”.
He said preparations for political mobilization in Lahore had begun under the leadership of PTI founder Imran Khan and urged young activists to prioritize discipline and organization over emotions. Afridi said the success of any street movement depended on a strong organizational structure, ordering the ISF to activate student associations in universities and colleges.
He added that the strength of the party lay at the grassroots level and the organizational work had to be done at the ward, union council and district levels.
Punjab MP Rana Arshad said the KP delegation would be welcome in the province but must “respect the law”, adding that there was no room for incitement or violence.
“When Gandapur came, he took out an AK-47 and smashed vehicles in Shahdara,” said Arshad. The law has been respected in the Punjab Assembly, and if armed groups or individuals come, they will not be treated as if they are above the law. He added that if there was a strike or demonstration on May 9 or February 8, it could be done peacefully. They will leave from Punjab, but there will be no place for the instigators. Lahore cannot tolerate lack of seriousness on the part of the Punjab Assembly or the city.
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He said peaceful protests were permitted by law, including on issues related to May 9 or February 8, but warned that “there will be no room for instigators.”
Arshad said the KP chief minister should attend with protocol and security, but “not turn the Punjab Assembly into a political gathering place”.
Earlier in the day, Afridi made a stopover at Bhera area, where a luncheon was organized in his honor. Supporters gathered at the spot and chanted PTI slogans, according to party members.
The KP chief minister later arrived in Lahore and after attending the assembly session, he is expected to visit the Liberty Market, officials said.
