Embattled K-P CM strikes defiant note

Says governor's rule will elicit strong response

MARDAN:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned that any attempt to impose governor's rule or an emergency in the province, or to undermine its government's public mandate, would prompt a strong public response, saying people would head to Peshawar instead of Swabi if such a move was made.

Addressing participants in the PTI long march before its departure from Charsadda, and later at Chamtar Adda and Manga Bazaar in Mardan, Afridi said the people of K-P had given their mandate to PTI founder Imran Khan and that the province would continue to follow his political direction.

"The policy in K-P will be Imran Khan's, and his rule will prevail," he said, adding that his government had no desire to cling to office but would defend its constitutional rights and the public mandate at all costs.

Afridi said the province was ready and people had already taken to the streets. He called on PTI supporters from across the country to reach Swabi on October 11, whether by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot.

Participants would travel under the leadership of their respective parliamentarians, he said, adding that the party would announce its future course of action in Swabi on October 13.

The chief minister maintained that the march was a peaceful political struggle within the bounds of the Constitution and the law. He said threats, coercive tactics and the use of force would not deter the protesters, warning that detaining or pressuring parliamentarians would not prevent people from coming out to defend their rights.

"This is no longer about a position or power," Afridi said, adding that neither a political office nor wealth could buy him off. He said the struggle was now about Imran Khan, the rights of the people of K-P and their right to determine their own future.

He urged supporters to remain steadfast, maintain discipline and ensure the protest remained peaceful, cautioning them against provocation or attempts to create disorder.

He also said the people of the province would not accept policies imposed against their interests or decisions about their future that disregarded their wishes and constitutional rights.

Referring to the province's security situation, Afridi said K-P's people, police and other personnel had made enormous sacrifices to restore peace.

He claimed that 80,000 people from K-P had lost their lives in the struggle, arguing that the peace achieved at such a heavy cost was now being put at risk by decisions taken behind closed doors.

He alleged that terrorism was being imposed on the province in pursuit of vested interests and warned that the consequences of such policies could be dangerous.

He said the province's people would resist what he described as an oppressive system and would protect the dignity, honour and rights of the Pashtuns.

Speaking at Chamtar Adda, Afridi claimed that K-P was the only province in the country with a government formed on the basis of the people's mandate, while other governments had been imposed on the public. He said the enthusiasm shown by march participants demonstrated their determination to continue the struggle.

He also rejected the notion that threats involving firearms or bullets would intimidate the protesters, saying they would continue to pursue their rights peacefully and resolutely.

At Manga Bazaar, the chief minister thanked residents of Mardan for welcoming the march and participating in it. Referring to the political symbolism surrounding Section 804, associated with Imran Khan, he remarked that the entire city appeared to be under "Section 804".

Afridi said supporters of Imran would reach Swabi regardless of the obstacles they faced and claimed that a large turnout would make it difficult for anyone to resort to force. He hinted that the party's next plan, to be announced on October 13, would surprise its opponents, without disclosing details.

Reiterating his warning to those threatening governor's rule, Afridi said the province's public mandate could not be set aside through administrative or constitutional measures without provoking a response from the people.

He said the movement was not intended to secure personal benefits or retain power but to defend constitutional rights, the public's right to choose its representatives and the province's interests. He urged workers and supporters to remain united and peaceful as the march continued towards Swabi.