K-P CM Afridi announces Rs50b development package for Mardan

Reiterates unwavering support for party founder Imran Khan and calls for continued political mobilisation

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday announced a Rs50 billion development package for Mardan, reiterating unwavering support for party founder Imran Khan and calling for continued political mobilisation.

Addressing a rally in Mardan, the Afridi said a massive crowd gathered in response to Imran's call, dismissing claims by critics that people would not turn up. “We have no personal stature; it is the public’s response to Imran’s call,” he said, adding that the turnout had sent a clear message to those who believed the former prime minister’s influence had waned.

The chief minister said Imran instructed the party to launch a street movement, announcing that he would visit Azad Kashmir on April 25 and Lahore on May 1 as part of the campaign. “The nation is ready. If directed, we will be in Islamabad the very next day,” he asserted.

Afridi maintained that Imran remained the undisputed leader of the people, rejecting claims that his political role had ended. “He was the leader yesterday, he is the leader today, and he will remain so,” he said, pledging complete adherence to Imran’s policies.

On governance, Afridi criticised what he described as failed state policies, blaming them for the deterioration of law and order in K-P. He claimed that peace had prevailed during Imran’s tenure but that terrorism had resurged due to policy failures. He also reiterated his opposition to military operations in the province.

The chief minister expressed concern over the treatment of Imran and his wife, stating that protests would continue until they were allowed medical treatment in the presence of personal doctors and family members. He termed restrictions on treatment and meetings as attempts to exert pressure.

Highlighting economic challenges, Afridi said GDP growth had declined from 6 per cent to 2.5 per cent, while public debt had risen from Rs50 trillion to Rs81 trillion, with an increase of Rs31 trillion over the past three years. He also pointed to a sharp rise in petrol prices, from Rs150 to over Rs360 per litre, adding that inflation had severely impacted farmers and labourers, eroding public purchasing power.

He criticised the post–regime change situation, claiming that the country had not experienced stability since, and accused an “elite capture mafia” of dominating key positions. However, he noted that Pakistan deserved credit for ongoing regional negotiations, attributing the approach to Imran’s long-standing policy stance.

Afridi further said that, on Imran’s instructions, consultations would be held with political leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. He also announced that the next provincial assembly session would be held in a public ground.

Other PTI leaders, including Haleem Adil Sheikh and provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan, also addressed the gathering. They praised the large turnout, highlighted the participation of women workers, and reaffirmed their support for the chief minister and Imran Khan.

The rally concluded with party leaders congratulating workers and the public on what they described as a successful and historic gathering in Mardan.

On April 14, on the directions of Imran, the K-P government announced it would hold what Afridi called a "grand public rally" in Mardan to show support for their leader and demonstrate that the PTI founder still enjoyed mass public support.

The party had earlier postponed its planned public meeting to be held originally at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi on April 9, due to "Islamabad talks" scheduled that week between the US and Iran.

The Rawalpindi district administration had also rejected the PTI's request for a no-objection certificate to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9.

PTI demanded permission as Afridi had announced a protest for the date the party was removed from power four years ago, after a no-confidence motion. Following the announcement by PTI, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days.