Alleges firing on PTI workers
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has alleged that security personnel opened fire on unarmed political workers and elected representatives during a convoy travelling to Islamabad to express solidarity with former prime minister Imran Khan and raise concerns over his health.
Addressing a press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House here on Wednesday, the chief minister said he, along with cabinet members, parliamentarians and other elected representatives, had set out for Islamabad but was stopped before reaching 26 Number Chungi after major highways and access routes were blocked by the administration.
He claimed the road closures prevented elected representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from proceeding and also caused severe inconvenience to residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Mr Afridi said heavy contingents of Islamabad Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel had been deployed at the site, alleging that security personnel were seen loading ammunition into their weapons.
He maintained that the delegation was neither participating in a protest nor attending a political rally, but was merely seeking to express solidarity with Imran Khan over concerns regarding his health.
“Despite this, elected representatives were stopped and subjected to an alarming display of force,” he said, adding that the entire world had witnessed security personnel being deployed to stop the chief minister of a federating unit, members of his cabinet and elected lawmakers.
The chief minister alleged that bullets were fired at elected representatives and political workers, claiming that National Assembly member Anwar Taj was arrested while several workers sustained gunshot injuries.
Presenting injured workers before the media, he said some of them were still receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
Despite the alleged violence, he said, party workers remained determined and their morale was unshaken.
Mr Afridi further said he had warned police officers at the scene that such actions were increasing resentment and damaging national cohesion.
He alleged that peaceful political workers were being met with force while requests for Imran Khan to receive medical treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians and in the presence of his family continued to be denied.
The chief minister said the party’s demand was limited to ensuring proper medical care for the former premier and called for him to be examined and treated at Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of his personal doctors and family members.
He described the demand as a humanitarian and medical matter rather than a political concession.
