Afridi says Sindh firmly backs Imran

CM leads rallies in Shikarpur, Shahdadkot, Larkana and Naushahro Feroze

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said the enthusiastic public response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Street Movement rallies in interior Sindh was clear evidence that the people of the region stood firmly with PTI founder Imran Khan.

Leading Street Movement rallies in Shikarpur, Shahdadkot, Larkana and Naushahro Feroze in connection with the September 27 Long March, the Chief Minister said the longstanding narrative that only one political party enjoyed dominance in interior Sindh had been disproved by the overwhelming public participation.

Addressing the rallies, Afridi said the people of Sindh had demonstrated their political strength, affiliation and independent decision before the country and the world.

"The people have proved today that their love and commitment to Imran Khan are unparalleled," he said, adding that the extraordinary enthusiasm witnessed across interior Sindh would serve as the real strength behind the "decisive political struggle" planned for September 27.

He said the voice rising from Shikarpur should reach every corner of Sindh and Pakistan, maintaining that people across the country would take to the streets on September 27 to demand their political rights, fundamental rights and what he described as real freedom.

Afridi alleged that Imran Khan had been unjustly imprisoned and said his wife had also been jailed, while his sisters and PTI workers, including women, elderly people and children, had faced political victimisation and state repression.

He claimed that every attempt to break Imran Khan or intimidate his supporters had failed.

"Imran Khan remains firm like a rock on his position. He is not looking towards rulers or powerful circles; he is looking towards the people of Pakistan," Afridi said.

The Chief Minister said Khan's struggle was not for personal power but for the freedom of the country and the future of coming generations. He urged the people to decide whether they wanted to safeguard their future.

Criticising the constitutional and political system, Afridi said the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments had weakened state institutions, particularly the judiciary. He alleged that court orders concerning meetings with Imran Khan and his medical treatment had not been implemented, claiming this reflected disregard for the Constitution, law and judicial decisions.

"When court orders are not implemented and the law applies only to the weak, people are left with no option but to raise their voices for their constitutional and political rights," he said.

Afridi said Pakistan was not the estate of a few families, tribal chiefs, landlords or members of the elite, asserting that the country and its resources belonged to the people.

He accused rulers of plundering public wealth while ordinary citizens continued to struggle for basic rights and resources.