Afridi to flex power at Minar-e-Pakistan today

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 Lahore visit into a challenge to an attempt to fence him in politically.

The announcement came on the second day of his stay, after Afridi managed to reach Liberty Roundabout late Friday night but was unable to deliver a planned address when a heavy police contingent sealed off all access routes, erecting pickets and effectively choking off the gathering.

The PTI leader brushed aside claims that the party's political footprint in the province has diminished and deplored the "occupying government's attitude towards guests".

Addressing supporters on the second day of his three-day visit to Lahore, Afridi said the rally would begin at 6pm and would serve as a demonstration of PTI's continued presence and mobilisation capacity in the heart of Punjab.

He also issued a direct challenge to political rivals, inviting them to organise a similar gathering in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and offering logistical assistance if required.

"They can choose any ground of their choice," Afridi said. "Let's see who brings more people. I will even arrange transport for them if they cannot."

Afridi arrived in Lahore on Friday and spent his first day meeting PTI supporters at various locations across the city. On Saturday, he visited the families of several incarcerated PTI leaders after authorities did not permit him to meet them at Kot Lakhpat jail.

The chief 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. Visuals released by the PTI showed Afridi meeting Qureshi's children, Zain and Meher Bano, at their residence.

Political intolerance

Speaking to reporters during the visit, Afridi said he had formally sought permission to meet jailed party leaders but received no response from the Punjab government. He termed the incarceration of PTI leaders "wrongful" and said their steadfastness had strengthened the party's resolve.

"They are standing with Imran Khan despite health concerns and sustained pressure," he said, calling them a source of courage for PTI workers.

Afridi also slammed the Punjab government's "attitude" toward his visit, saying restrictions placed on his movements reflected political intolerance.

TTAP talks

Asked about the possibility of talks with the federal government, the K-P 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 in the day, Afridi continued his outreach by visiting the families of additional party leaders and activists. He was unable to visit former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema's residence after being denied entry into the cantonment area, according to PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha.

Afridi is also scheduled to visit the home of PTI worker Ali Bilal, also known as Zille Shah, who died during a protest in 2023. Party leaders accompanying the chief minister said large numbers of PTI supporters were expected to gather in Lahore ahead of Sunday's rally.

Breakdown of justice system

Speaking at the LHC premises, Afridi thanked the legal fraternity for the respect and hospitality extended to him, saying 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 lawyers' community at the Lahore High Court (LHC), alleging that the justice system had been paralysed and constitutional rights were being violated.

He said the attitude of the "occupying government" in Punjab towards guests was visible to everyone.

Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, the K-P chief minister said party leadership had directed workers to prepare for a street movement, adding that lawyers would play a key role in any future struggle.

He asserted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stood firmly with judicial independence and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Afridi alleged that the justice system had been rendered ineffective, claiming that despite orders from three judges directing authorities to arrange his meeting with the PTI founder, a jail superintendent had ignored and defied the court orders.

He termed this an alarming example of contempt 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. Criticising the Punjab police, Afridi alleged that law enforcement in the province had turned into a "rogue force," acting unlawfully and suppressing political dissent.

FIR lodged against PTI workers

A case has been registered against PTI workers following a protest in the Ghalib Market area during the arrival of the K-P chief minister, where demonstrators allegedly blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans.

According to the First Information Report lodged at Ghalib Market police station on December 27, Sub-Inspector Imran Ahmed filed the complaint under sections 290 (public nuisance) and 291 (continuance of nuisance after injunction) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The FIR states that PTI activists blocked the road, raised slogans against the government, and caused public inconvenience. Police arrested 13 individuals during the protest.