DLP Report
KARACHI
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has alleged that his convoy was obstructed during his recent visit to Sindh, claiming that containers and trenches were placed along his route despite a warm reception by supporters.
Speaking at the Sindh High Court Bar in Karachi on Monday, the chief minister said he had witnessed “courage and enthusiasm” among the people of Sindh during his five-day visit from Ghotki to Karachi.
Mr Afridi criticised the provincial authorities over the alleged restrictions, saying that on the one hand PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had welcomed him through a social media post while, on the other, obstacles had been placed in his way.
He demanded that Mr Bhutto-Zardari either accept responsibility for the measures or identify those responsible for placing the containers and digging trenches along his route.
The chief minister also alleged that PTI workers in Sindh had been subjected to harassment and that women party workers had also faced mistreatment. He claimed that the party had been deprived of 20 provincial and 40 National Assembly seats in the Karachi region.
Mr Afridi said he would support the people of Sindh in their struggle for their rights and criticised proposals relating to the division of provinces.
He also spoke about Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran, arguing that geographical, religious and cultural ties with neighbouring countries should be maintained. He criticised the federal government’s policies towards Afghanistan and questioned the approach towards relations with neighbouring states.
The chief minister criticised what he called the domination of two political families over the country, alleging that political power had been transferred from one generation to another.
He also criticised successive constitutional amendments, saying that, in his view, the 18th and 25th amendments were primarily in the public interest while other amendments had been introduced to provide protection to political leaders and their actions.
Mr Afridi raised the issue of Imran Khan’s detention and alleged non-compliance with court orders concerning the PTI founder.
He claimed that three Islamabad High Court judges had directed that he be allowed to meet Mr Khan, but the order was not implemented by the Adiala jail authorities. He further alleged that three Supreme Court judges had ordered medical treatment for Mr Khan at Shifa International Hospital, but that order was also not implemented.
According to Mr Afridi, contempt petitions had been filed over the alleged non-compliance with the court orders but had not produced the desired results.
Addressing lawyers, he questioned whether the failure to implement judicial orders should be regarded as a failure of PTI or of the justice system.
The chief minister said political change could not be achieved if people continued to tolerate violations of their rights.
He claimed that Imran Khan could secure his release through a political deal but had chosen to remain firm on his political principles.
Mr Afridi announced that PTI supporters would hold a public mobilisation on Sept 27, saying a large number of people would come out to demand their rights.
He said the response to his visit had exceeded his expectations and claimed that the reception in Sindh demonstrated growing support for PTI’s political narrative.
