K-P CM criticises police barricading his way to Lahore

Rana Arshad says K-P delegation’s entry into Punjab depends on following the law, warns against incitement

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was stopped at a Punjab Police barricade near Chakri on Thursday while travelling to Lahore to attend the Punjab Assembly session, according to officials from his office.

Speaking at the site, Afridi criticised the barricades, saying that “sealing accommodation and meal areas is a clear sign of fear”. He said Punjab officials were “not elected representatives of the people” and alleged that blocking the movement of public representatives was an attempt to suppress political activity.

"The public knows that fearful rulers make decisions behind closed doors," says CM Afridi.

According to a statement issued by the K-P Chief Minister’s Secretariat on December 24, Afridi also addressed workers of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), saying that PTI and its affiliated bodies “ground their politics in resistance”.

He said preparations for a political mobilisation in Lahore had begun under the guidance of PTI founder Imran Khan, and urged youth activists to prioritise discipline and organisation over emotions. Afridi said the success of any street movement depended on a strong organisational structure, directing the ISF to activate student bodies in universities and colleges.

He added that the party’s strength lay at the grassroots level and said organisational work should be completed at the ward, union council and district tiers.

Punjab MPA Rana Arshad said the K-P delegation would be welcomed in the province but must “follow the law”, adding that there was no room for incitement or violence.

“When Gandapur arrived, he took out an AK-47 and broke vehicles in Shahdara,” says Arshad. The law has been followed in the Punjab Assembly, and if armed groups or individuals come, they will not be treated as if they are above the law. He has added that if there is a strike or protest relating to May 9 or February 8, it can be done peacefully. They will start from Punjab, but there will be no place for instigators. Lahore cannot tolerate non-seriousness in the Punjab Assembly or the city.

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He said peaceful protest was permitted under the law, including over issues related to May 9 or February 8, but warned that “there will be no space for instigators”.

Arshad said the K-P chief minister should attend with protocol and security, but “not turn the Punjab Assembly into a political rally venue”.

Earlier in the day, Afridi made a stop in the Bhera area, where a luncheon was hosted in his honour. Supporters gathered at the venue and chanted PTI slogans, according to party workers.

The K-P chief minister later reached Lahore and, after attending the assembly session, is scheduled to visit Liberty Market, officials said.