Government and opposition exchange criticism over accusations of creating obstacles in Sohail Afridi’s visit to the provincial assembly
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi alleged that the federal government was bent on pressuring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan into submission, a move he warned was pushing Pakistan into further political, economic and social turmoil.
Addressing a press conference in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, he claimed that nations collapse when their rulers focus on intimidating their opponents instead of addressing real challenges. He claimed that the restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder clearly exposed the wrong priorities of the government at a time when citizens were struggling with insecurity, inflation and unemployment.
Afridi said he had traveled to Lahore to meet party organization workers, but alleged that the police at Chakri junction resorted to rude behavior and arbitrary arrests. He described the government as “illegitimate” and accused it of using fascist tactics against PTI workers and elected representatives.
Regarding the economy, the KP prime minister claimed that the stock market bullish movement was artificially driven by political engineering. He added that the country’s debt had risen from Rp43 billion to nearly Rp80 trillion, while major industries were packing up and leaving the country.
Afridi mocked earlier claims by rulers that they had promised to sell personal belongings to clear the national debt, claiming that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had instead been sold. “This is the current state of economic governance,” he said, adding that ordinary Pakistanis now feel insecure and deeply insecure about the future.
Afridi further alleged that critical decisions were being imposed behind closed doors and without transparency, while industrial activity and economic growth continued to decline. He argued that the government’s priorities had become so skewed that silencing political opponents had completely replaced real governance.
Condemning what he termed harassment of PTI leaders and workers, he said both MPs and activists were being subjected to humiliation and intimidation.
Read more: KP CM criticizes the police for blocking his way to Lahore
Earlier, confusion and tension prevailed in the Punjab Assembly amid reports that the KP CM could face hurdles in entering the provincial legislature, prompting the opposition to warn of strong protests if any restrictions were imposed. Leader of Opposition in the 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 opposition members inside the house. Qureshi said a full list of guests had been submitted to the assembly secretariat and warned that any attempt to detain or manhandle the delegation would trigger a protest march.
Later, assembly sources confirmed that the Punjab Assembly Secretariat formally approved the entry of the KP chief minister and his delegation. The approved list included provincial ministers, cabinet members, senators, deputies, deputies and other political figures. The delegation was cleared by assembly security and Afridi was scheduled to meet and address opposition members before leaving.
The situation inside the house became heated when Qureshi raised a point of order, alleging that “fascism” had returned to Punjab. He claimed that police were carrying out nighttime raids and arresting even teenage party workers and supporters. He alleged that the residences of senior PTI leaders, including Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Aslam Iqbal, were raided and claimed that their family members were detained.
Questioning the government’s claims about law and order, Qureshi cited an alleged murder case in which he said the accused was still at large. Qureshi demanded that he be notified 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 that the opposition members had reached the assembly despite the difficulties and stating that they were ideological politicians. He complained of restrictions on meeting the PTI founder and alleged harassment through threats to implicate family members in the cases.
Vice President Zaheer Iqbal Channar said he had no information about raids on workers’ houses, but clarified that KP CM had been declared a guest of Punjab and allowed to enter the assembly.
Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar also denied any restrictions on Afridi’s visit, saying any complaints about police action should be taken to the relevant authorities. Tensions escalated further before question time as members of both sides traded accusations.
Opposition MPA Waqas Maan accused the government of ordering night raids and turning Punjab into a “battlefield” ahead of Afridi’s visit. PML-N MPA Rana Arshad rejected the claims, saying that the peace would not be allowed to be disturbed and confirming formal approval of Afridi’s visit.
Subsequently, Vice President Channar directed the provincial minister to submit a detailed written report to the House on the alleged arrests of opposition workers. Praising the decision to honor the KP prime minister as a guest, he said opposition members had the right to receive their leader.
Subsequently, the session was suspended due to lack of quorum and the proceedings were postponed until 2:00 p.m. on December 29.
