Sohail Afridi says ‘not going anywhere’, PTI weighs options for Imran’s release
Asad Qaiser, senior PTI leader and former speaker of the National Assembly. Photo: Archive
Former National Assembly Speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Thursday strongly rejected rumors of any change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa leadership and said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was going nowhere.
talking to The express PAkGazetteQaiser stated that changing the prime minister was not “a child’s play” that could be done “morning and afternoon.”
“There is no truth in the news about any change in the prime minister. InshaAllah, Sohail Afridi will remain the prime minister,” he said.
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Qaiser also referred to the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan and described them as politically motivated and baseless. He said Imran was unjustly imprisoned and was “a prisoner of conscience” who endured hard times for the sake of Pakistan.
“He has always spoken for the supremacy of the Constitution, the law and Parliament,” Qaiser added.
The PTI leader said the party was considering all options for Imran’s release.
“We will launch a movement. We are in contact with the courts and the people. Whatever decision is made, we will implement it,” he said.
However, he categorically denied any covert negotiations, agreements or contacts with the government over Imran’s release, saying no formal talks were taking place.
Commenting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent statement in the National Assembly on a proposed Charter of Democracy, Qaiser welcomed the idea.
He said the first point of such a letter should be holding new elections and ensuring the supremacy of Parliament.
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“We totally agree that there should be a Charter of Democracy,” he said. “There must be an Electoral Commission that guarantees clean, transparent and fair elections.”
Referring to the prime minister’s offer to audit the 2018 and 2024 elections, Qaiser said the PTI accepted the proposal and was ready for an independent audit through a credible commission or forum that enjoyed the confidence of all parties.
Regarding internal party matters, Qaiser acknowledged that some PTI members were dissatisfied.
“They are our friends and party workers. Their reservations are valid,” he said, adding that PTI president Advocate Gohar Ali Khan and provincial president Junaid Akbar had already met them.
“Steps will be taken very soon to address their concerns,” he said.
