‘We Won’t Play a Fixed Match,’ KP CM Sohail Afridi Says as PTI Continues Struggle

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has claimed that more than five million people could head towards Islamabad if the government does not place containers and other barriers on roads leading to the capital.

In a statement posted on social media, Afridi said the federal government was afraid of public mobilisation and was therefore placing containers along the routes. He said that if the government did not create obstacles, a large number of people would reach Islamabad.

The KP chief minister also criticised the federal government and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership, questioning Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s reported remarks that she was not concerned about a threat from India but from three provinces.

Afridi claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its founder, Imran Khan, represented a symbol of national unity, saying the party had a presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

He said he had witnessed strong public support for PTI during his visits to interior Sindh and claimed that Imran Khan’s popularity in the province would remain strong for the next 20 years.

Recalling his political journey, Afridi said he had been involved in resistance politics since November 14, 2007, when Imran Khan was arrested at Punjab University and PTI workers took to the streets.

He said Imran Khan had taught his supporters to face challenges and continue their political struggle, adding that political challenges were part of the process.

Afridi also accused the federal government of violating constitutional, legal and democratic principles and claimed that PTI was facing political and administrative pressure.

He maintained that PTI’s protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab had remained peaceful and alleged that the government was afraid of the strength of public mobilisation.

The KP chief minister further warned that if the government attempted to arrest or detain PTI lawmakers or ministers, the party had a “Plan B” ready.

He claimed that videos related to the alleged actions had also been recorded and would be released at an appropriate time.

Afridi said the government could not stop PTI’s political activities through any means. Referring to Imran Khan’s political teachings, he said the party would not become part of a “fixed match” and would continue its political struggle.

Afridi has previously claimed that PTI would bring a large number of supporters to Islamabad as part of its planned march. In August, he had announced that the march towards Islamabad would take place on September 27.