Afridi doubles down on 'absolutely not'

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday doubled down on his "Absolutely Not" stance against the powerful, declaring that he would continue to stand with his people and resist policies that he believes are against the interests of the province and the country.

"I am Imran Khan's team member. I have said 'Absolutely Not' to the powerful, and I will continue to stand by that position," Afridi said while addressing participants of the PTI's long march at Jail Chowk in Karak. The K-P CM kicked off the PTI's much-touted long march from Lakki Marwat a day earlier.

His remarks came as he accused the federal government and the establishment of pursuing policies that were deepening divisions, isolating K-P and treating it as a stepchild.

Afridi said he had been criticised on television and labelled "immature" by an establishment representative for standing with his people.

"If standing with my people is considered immaturity, then I will continue to do so without hesitation. If loving my country is considered immaturity, I will embrace that charge again and again," he said.

The chief minister alleged that terrorism imposed on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the result of a deliberate and well-conceived plan, saying Pashtun blood was once again being shed, people were being displaced, businesses destroyed and military operations and drone strikes carried out.

He said innocent civilians, police personnel and soldiers were losing their lives, while his government was being pressured to become complicit in policies it did not support.

Afridi said misguided policies were pushing the country towards division and fuelling prejudice among its people. He alleged that Rs5.3 trillion had been lost to corruption under the federal government's watch and that the figure had been reported by the International Monetary Fund.

"If this is what is being presented as wisdom and patriotism, then I reject such wisdom," he said.

He alleged that those imposed on the country were attempting to compound one flawed policy with another in an effort to isolate Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Referring to decisions taken behind closed doors, he also criticised what he described as the imposition of a political party on the country.

"As long as we are alive, we will never allow this to happen," he said. Afridi maintained that those who plundered public resources could not claim to be sincere with the country.

Turning to PTI founder Imran Khan, the chief minister said he was the only leader with a nationwide following and capable of steering Pakistan out of its present crisis.

"Imran Khan is the heartbeat of our people, and 90 percent of the people want him," he claimed. "Imran is the only leader capable of restoring the dignity, credibility and standing of state institutions."

Afridi also praised soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for Pakistan, describing their sacrifices as an integral part of the nation's collective struggle and existence.

He claimed that public rejection of the existing system was growing across the country, with people from Khyber to Karachi seeking to reach Islamabad. He said the government would have to address their democratic demands and that national policies must be guided by the public interest.

The chief minister said his government would resist any policy contrary to the interests of the people.

He said Imran Khan was enduring imprisonment with courage and had refused to compromise his position for the sake of power. Had Khan been motivated by a desire to return to office, Afridi said, he could have secured his release by signing a document, but had instead chosen to remain steadfast.

"The struggle for real freedom will continue alongside Imran Khan," he said, adding that Imran and his family were making sacrifices for the future of the people and generations to come.

Referring to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Afridi alleged that courts now awaited instructions before taking decisions, while Imran Khan continued to await his people.

"The choice is yours: whether to accept subjugation or stand for real freedom; whether to bow before the powerful or stand up for your rights," he said. The chief minister called upon people from across Pakistan to reach Swabi, where he said the next phase of the movement would be announced.

Later, speaking to long-march participants in Lachi tehsil of Kohat, Afridi reiterated his defiant position.

"I am a soldier of Imran Khan. The combined strength of the entire world cannot put a price on me, nor can it intimidate me," he said. He urged participants to conserve their energy, saying the struggle would be prolonged and require endurance and sustained mobilisation.

"We must not exhaust ourselves. Our struggle is a long one. From October 8, the T20 match begins," he said. Afridi announced that the march towards Peshawar would set off from University Chowk at 3pm and called on the people of Kohat to turn out in overwhelming numbers.

"The message must go out clearly: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to Imran Khan, has belonged to Imran Khan, and will remain with Imran Khan," he said.