Denounces the “stolen mandate” in the 2024 elections and warns of an intensification of the street movement
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi addresses a crowd during a street movement tour in Suabi on Saturday. Photo: Express
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi on Saturday announced a nationwide lockdown on February 8 to protest the alleged theft of people’s mandate in the general elections and to demand the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
In fiery speeches delivered during a street movement tour in Swabi district, including Shewa Adda, Topi and Anbar, Afridi called for a complete shutdown strike across Pakistan.
He urged citizens to keep all shops, markets, businesses, trucks, rickshaws, CNG pumps and other commercial activities closed during the day. “On February 8, stay home. Nothing should move,” he said, framing the action as a peaceful demonstration under the motto of protecting the Constitution.
Afridi emphasized that the one-day protest is focused on securing Imran’s freedom.
“We will secure his release and appoint him prime minister,” he said, adding that public support remained the party’s greatest strength. He accused the federal government of violating the Constitution and the law by stealing the PTI’s mandate in the February 8, 2024 elections.
The KP chief minister highlighted his concern over Imran’s health, alleging that an eye operation was performed “in the dead of the night” without informing his family and personal doctors.
He claimed that requests for meetings with Imran by his relatives and doctors have been repeatedly denied, despite protests by PTI leaders, including sit-ins outside Adiala Jail and the Supreme Court.
Afridi dismissed attempts at intimidation, saying he was not afraid and rejecting accusations that he was a “smuggler.” He referred to the Tirah operation as an attempt to turn the Pakhtuns against him, but claimed that the street movement had already disrupted the government’s nights.
Read: Federal Government calls Khyber jirga ‘charge sheet’ against KP govt, apologizes
“This time, we are fully prepared to go out into the field and change the system and destiny of the country,” he warned, urging all Pakistanis to prepare.
He praised the passion and fervor visible in the people’s eyes, saying they surpassed anything he had seen in his 18 years of political experience. “The nation is honorable, and so is its prime minister,” Afridi said, promising that those who tried to corner the PTI would find no place to hide once the public sought justice.
The announcement aligns with broader opposition calls for protests on the second anniversary of the 2024 elections, which the PTI says were rigged. Afridi stressed on unity and challenged other political parties to mobilize crowds and join the cause for Imran’s release.
He recounted spending days and nights protesting outside Adiala Jail and the Supreme Court without being allowed access to Imran, which strengthened his resolve: “No one can stop us this time; the hands tied with weak threads will be freed.”
