Challenges rivals to show strength and rejects claims that PTI’s influence is waning in Punjab
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo:
LAHORE:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday announced that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday (today), turning a tightly controlled visit to Lahore into a challenge to an attempt to encircle it politically.
The announcement came on the second day of his stay, after Afridi managed to reach the Freedom Roundabout on Friday night but was unable to deliver a planned speech when a heavy police contingent sealed all access routes, erected pickets and effectively smothered the gathering.
The PTI leader dismissed claims that the party’s political footprint in the province has diminished and deplored the “attitude of the occupying government towards the guests”.
Addressing his supporters on the second day of his three-day visit to Lahore, Afridi said the rally would begin at 6 pm and would serve as a demonstration of the PTI’s continued presence and mobilization capacity in the heart of Punjab.
He also issued a direct challenge to his political rivals, inviting them to organize a similar meeting in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and offering logistical assistance if necessary.
“They can choose whatever land they want,” Afridi said. “Let’s see who brings the most people. I’ll even organize transportation for them if they can’t.”
Afridi arrived in Lahore on Friday and spent his first day meeting PTI supporters at various locations in the city. On Saturday, he visited the families of several jailed PTI leaders after the authorities did not allow him to meet them in Kot Lakhpat jail.
The prime minister met the families of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed. Footage released by PTI showed Afridi meeting Qureshi’s sons Zain and Meher Bano at his residence.
Political intolerance
Speaking to reporters during the visit, Afridi said he had formally requested permission to meet jailed party leaders but received no response from the Punjab government. He termed the imprisonment of PTI leaders as “unfair” and said their firmness had strengthened the party’s resolve.
“They are supporting Imran Khan despite health concerns and sustained pressure,” he said, calling them a source of courage for PTI workers.
Afridi also criticized the Punjab government’s “attitude” towards his visit, saying the restrictions imposed on his movements reflected political intolerance.
talks on TTAP
When asked about the possibility of talks with the federal government, the KP chief minister said PTI founder Imran Khan had assigned responsibility for negotiations or protests to the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
While expressing support for dialogue efforts, Afridi said he had also been instructed to prepare for a street movement and would take those preparations “to their peak.”
Later that day, Afridi continued his outreach work by visiting the families of other party leaders and activists. According to PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha, he was unable to visit the residence of former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema after he was denied entry to the cantonment area.
Afridi is also scheduled to visit the house of PTI worker Ali Bilal, also known as Zille Shah, who died during a protest in 2023. Party leaders accompanying the prime minister said a large number of PTI supporters were expected to gather in Lahore ahead of Sunday’s rally.
Collapse of the justice system
Speaking at the LHC premises, Afridi thanked the legal community for the respect and hospitality extended to him and said the role of lawyers was crucial in the prevailing political and constitutional situation.
Afridi also deplored the Punjab government and law enforcement agencies while addressing the lawyer fraternity at the Lahore High Court (LHC), alleging that the justice system had been paralyzed and constitutional rights were being violated.
He said the attitude of the “occupying government” in Punjab towards the guests was visible to all.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, the KP chief minister said party leaders had ordered workers to prepare for a street movement, adding that lawyers would play a key role in any future fight.
He stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf strongly defended judicial independence and supremacy of the Constitution.
Afridi alleged that the justice system had become ineffective and claimed that despite orders from three judges directing authorities to arrange his meeting with the PTI founder, a jail superintendent had ignored and defied court orders.
He called this an alarming example of disregard for the judiciary.
He further quoted Imran Khan as saying that the Constitution and an independent judiciary were the only means to restore justice in the country. Criticizing the Punjab Police, Afridi alleged that law enforcement in the province had become a “rogue force”, acting illegally and suppressing political dissent.
FIR lodged against PTI workers
A case has been registered against PTI workers following a protest in Ghalib market area during the arrival of the KP chief minister, where protesters allegedly blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans.
According to the first information report filed at Ghalib Market police station on December 27, sub-inspector Imran Ahmed filed the complaint under sections 290 (public nuisance) and 291 (continuation of nuisance after court order) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR claims that the PTI activists blocked the road, raised anti-government slogans and caused public nuisance. Police arrested 13 people during the protest.
