Afridi calls for decisive rally on August 5

Calls Peshawar Toll Plaza gathering 'semi-final'

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has termed the proposed public gathering at Peshawar Toll Plaza on August 5 as a decisive moment in the province's political history, issuing a fervent appeal to the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the youth, to participate in overwhelming numbers.

In a significant message to the nation regarding the necessity and importance of the August 5 rally, Afridi declared that the people must take to the streets themselves to raise their voices against oppression, injustice, soaring inflation, unemployment, and escalating lawlessness. He described the upcoming gathering as a semi-final where major announcements would be made.

The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the health condition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, describing their medical situation as extremely worrisome. Afridi lamented that despite constitutional and legal demands for treatment under the supervision of their personal physicians, these requests remain unfulfilled. He alleged that Khan is being kept in illegal solitary confinement, with family members, party leaders, personal doctors, and even his sons denied visitation rights.

Afridi emphasized that he serves as Khan's representative, and the people voted in K-P on Imran Khan's name and vision, which constitutes a clear mandate from the public.

He accused the ruling establishment of protecting the interests of their handlers rather than the public, even maintaining silence on critical national issues concerning Balochistan and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister stressed that guns are not a solution to any problem, and all political and national issues must be resolved according to the constitution and law. He warned that the national economy is hurtling toward destruction, with inflation, unemployment, and instability continuously rising, while the government's entire focus remains on keeping Imran Khan under restrictions.

Addressing the legal cases against him, Afridi revealed that despite acquittals in the May 9 cases, they have been reopened with new investigations initiated, and additional cases have been scheduled for July 28 and 29. However, he declared he neither fears, nor can be bent, nor bought. "I will remain steadfast on Imran Khan's ideology until my last breath, and no power can deviate me from this path," he vowed.

 

The Chief Minister also highlighted what he termed discriminatory treatment, noting that action was taken against him for speaking in another district while the Election Commission remains silent on the election campaign of a chief minister from another province. He claimed that PTI, its leadership, and the K-P government are being treated as second-class citizens, with all institutions collectively adopting this approach.