DLP Report
SINDH
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has claimed that the political landscape of Sindh has changed, saying the public mobilisation witnessed during his visit to the interior of the province had challenged the Pakistan Peoples Party’s decades-long political dominance.
Addressing rallies and public gatherings in Nawabshah, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot on the third day of his visit, the chief minister said the enthusiasm shown by people despite severe heat demonstrated growing support for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
“Who does Sindh belong to?” he asked, claiming that the crowds had responded by chanting Mr Khan’s name.
Mr Afridi said the perception of the PPP’s political monopoly in Sindh had been challenged by the public response. He predicted that “the era of dynastic politics” was coming to an end and criticised political families for transferring power to their sons, daughters and relatives.
He said genuine leadership emerged from among the people, while those who entered politics through what he described as “parachute politics” could not claim to represent the public.
The chief minister said Mr Khan had selected him from among ordinary people and described himself as a member of the middle class who had travelled in rickshaws and taxis. He claimed that no amount of electoral manipulation would be able to defeat the PTI in the next elections.
“We come from the people and will return to the people,” he said, adding that he and other PTI leaders did not own apartments abroad or private islands.
Mr Afridi claimed that the ruling elite feared Mr Khan because he spoke for ordinary Pakistanis and their rights.
He described the PTI founder as a national leader rather than one associated with any particular province, saying people across Sindh, KP, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan, as well as members of minority communities, considered him their leader.
He alleged that Mr Khan had remained steadfast despite being detained because he was fighting for the rights of the Pakistani people. The chief minister said political opponents feared that Mr Khan’s return would end what he called their political monopoly and exploitation.
Mr Afridi further alleged that the ruling elite had accumulated wealth and properties abroad at the expense of Pakistani taxpayers.
He linked the country’s rising debt to what he termed the 2022 “regime-change operation” that removed Mr Khan’s government, claiming that public debt had increased from Rs43 trillion in 2022 to Rs97 trillion.
The chief minister also criticised the authorities over Mr Khan’s detention and medical treatment.
He claimed that he had been prevented from meeting the PTI founder despite court orders and alleged that directives concerning Mr Khan’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital had not been implemented.
He said the alleged disregard for judicial orders raised serious questions about access to justice for ordinary citizens. “If even a court order has no authority, where will an ordinary Pakistani turn for justice?” he asked.
Mr Afridi said the Sept 27 mobilisation was not merely for Mr Khan or the PTI but for the rights of every Pakistani. He called on people across the country, including Sindh, to participate and stand up for their rights.
He alleged that repressive forces often responded to public demands with violence, but maintained that “bullets, prisons and repression” could not break the resolve of the people.
“September 27 will determine whether Pakistan remains subject to dynastic politics or whether the people reclaim their rights,” he added.
