K-P CM Afridi says PTI to hold Karachi rally despite no written approval

Chief minister says street movement will continue peacefully for Imran Khan’s release and constitutional rule

KARACHI:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Saturday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would go ahead with a public rally at Karachi’s Bagh-e-Jinnah, even though the party has not yet received written permission from the authorities.

Speaking to the media before leaving Karachi for Hyderabad, Afridi said PTI received a “warm and enthusiastic welcome” in the city. “I thank the people of Karachi for the reception,” he said, adding, “We are political people; our real protocol comes from the public.”

حیدرآباد کی طرف۔ ایک نیا دن نئے جذبے کے ساتھ۔ pic.twitter.com/EslT8JodyW

— Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) January 10, 2026

Afridi is on a three-day visit to Karachi as part of PTI’s preparations for a nationwide street movement launched on the direction of party founder Imran Khan. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet party leaders, lawyers, traders and media representatives, and hold political consultations. The visit is set to conclude with a public rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday to mobilise support for what the party describes as a peaceful campaign for the PTI founder’s release and the restoration of constitutional rule.

He alleged that PTI was facing unfair treatment from the Punjab government, which he described as a “fake government,” and said Imran Khan was being denied meetings with his family. “This is a political struggle, and restrictions on political engagement are unacceptable,” he said.

Afridi said PTI had formed the government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for the third consecutive term and was currently holding political meetings in Karachi. “The whole of Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis,” he said, noting that people frequently travel between Sindh and K-P for employment.

Read: Sohail Afridi heads to Sindh for meetings, rally at Mazar-e-Quaid

He also highlighted difficulties faced by K-P residents in accessing healthcare facilities while in Sindh and stressed the need for equal political rights for all parties. “If leaders of all political parties are allowed to do politics, then the same permission should apply to everyone,” he said.

The chief minister said Imran Khan had tasked him with leading the street movement. “We are continuing a peaceful struggle for his release,” he added.

A day earlier, speaking at a Meet the Press programme at the Karachi Press Club, Afridi reiterated his opposition to any fresh military operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying peace could not be achieved through force alone.

“We oppose not only the TTP but all terrorist organisations,” he said, adding that more than 14,000 operations had already been carried out in the province, displacing millions. “Operations without consultation have brought losses, not lasting peace,” he maintained.

Read More: Afridi set for Karachi leg of street drive

Afridi said PTI had consistently opposed the resettlement of militants, a stance he said was on record. “From Bajaur to Shangla, people protested when there were reports of militants being resettled,” he said, claiming the province had made over 80,000 sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He added that a peace jirga comprising political and religious parties and civil society representatives had unanimously rejected further military action.

Calling for a joint strategy to counter terrorism, Afridi said efforts must involve the federal and provincial governments, political parties and security institutions. “If the prime minister invites me for talks aimed at ending terrorism, I will attend,” he said, stressing that dialogue and political consensus were essential to restore peace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.