KP CM Sohail Afridi leads PTI rally at Lahore's Liberty Chowk

LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Lahore earlier on Friday along with PTI leaders and workers, led a rally at Liberty Chowk as part of the party’s plan to launch a street movement.

Afridi reached the provincial capital to mobilise party workers and hold meetings with PTI’s local leadership. Late on Friday night, PTI supporters gathered at Liberty Chowk, where the KP chief minister joined them in chanting slogans. Videos shared by the party on social media showed Afridi raising his fist and sloganeering amid a crowd of supporters.

Earlier, PTI’s Lahore chapter posted footage showing Afridi leaning out of his vehicle and chanting slogans as party workers showered the convoy with flowers. KP Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi was also seen accompanying him. Another video showed Afridi mingling with supporters at the rally, where PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi, were also present.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said in a post on X that he and Afridi were at Liberty Chowk but alleged that Punjab Police were blocking their movement.

Earlier in the evening, a scuffle broke out at the Punjab Assembly involving visiting PTI members and assembly guards. A video shared by the PTI showed pushing and shouting in a crowd that included Meena Khan, KP CM’s aide Shafiullah Jan and security staff.

During his visit to the Punjab Assembly, Afridi addressed PTI lawmakers, thanking the people of Punjab for their hospitality while criticising the police’s conduct during the delegation’s journey to Lahore. He alleged that PTI workers and leaders were harassed and arrested at several locations, including Chakri Interchange, Bhera, Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin.

The KP chief minister also criticised the federal government over economic issues, including inflation, unemployment and declining industrial growth. He accused the authorities of prioritising political suppression over governance, citing restrictions on PTI rallies and meetings.

Earlier, Afridi visited the residence of senior PTI leader Latif Khosa, where party workers welcomed him by showering his vehicle with flowers. Addressing reporters there, Afridi said the people of Punjab stood with PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated in Adiala jail.

Meanwhile, traders in Gulberg shut down markets, offices and business premises on Friday evening ahead of the PTI rally at Liberty Chowk. The chairman of the Gulberg Traders Board said shops were closed voluntarily in view of potential law and order concerns after police warned of a possible security threat.

Property dealers and shopkeepers in the area also confirmed that businesses were closed following instructions from the traders’ board, citing security concerns linked to the rally.