Achakzai and Senator Nasir Abbas given mandate for dialogue and protest, says KP CM

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has delegated all authority relating to 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 prime minister stated that the party’s future political strategy would now be formulated in consultation with these leaders. He added that another key directive from the PTI founder relates to the launch of a street movement, for which practical preparations have already begun.

“We will not rest until the street movement is successful. Party workers are fully active and mobilized,” Afridi said.

Commenting on the situation in the Tirah Valley, the prime minister said he was not aware of any displacement taking place in the area. However, he expressed serious concern over reports that local residents are being forced to sign agreements under pressure. “This is a worrying fact,” he commented.

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

Referring to the development of the merged tribal districts, the Prime Minister recalled that he had already announced a development package of Rs 1 trillion for these areas. He said the government was taking serious steps to bring the merged districts into the national mainstream and provide basic amenities to their residents.

CM Afridi reaffirmed that all decisions aimed at resolving public problems and ensuring political stability would be taken through consultations and within the constitutional framework, and stressed that no compromise would be made on the interests of the people of the province.

Qaiser calls for celebrating “Black Day” on February 8

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

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

He said that in those elections the basic and constitutional right of the people to vote was taken away, which he described as a serious attack on democracy. “It is now up to the people to decide whether they will elect their representatives through transparent elections or allow decisions about their fate to be made by people in public office,” he added.

Warning the public, the former speaker of the National Assembly said that if people did not protect their right to vote, their voices would not be heard at any level. He questioned the performance of the present assembly, asking it to point out even a single law or measure taken in public interest that has provided real relief to the people.

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

Referring to the election results, the PTI leader stated that on February 8 the people had given the 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 public to come out in large numbers on February 8 to defend their right to vote. He also appealed to the transport community to fully participate in the strike and asked the trader community to observe a lockdown strike.

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