CM Afridi calls UNHRC statement a son’s ‘natural concern,’ not political move

• KP chief minister alleges democratic erosion, links risks to federal policies

• Raises concerns over human rights, media freedom and detainees’ health

 ISLAMABAD: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday defended remarks made by Kasim Khan, the son of PTI founder Imran Khan,  at the United Nations Human Rights Council, terming them a “natural expression of concern” for “his father, rather than a political act.”

Earlier this week, Kasim Khan had urged the UN body to intervene and press the Pakistani government for the immediate release of his father. In his statement, he cited alleged violations including arbitrary detention, solitary confinement, denial of medical care, restricted family access, and the trial of civilians in military courts. He argued that these measures contravened Pakistan’s obligations under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) arrangement.

The remarks drew sharp criticism from the federal government. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI and Imran Khan’s family of acting against Pakistan’s national and economic interests, claiming the statement could undermine the country’s GSP Plus trade status.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry also condemned the comments, describing them as a “negative propaganda campaign” against Pakistan’s standing with the European Union. FPCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon noted that the 2023 extension of GSP Plus status reflected Pakistan’s compliance with international obligations, supported by both state institutions and the business community.

قاسم خان کی تقریر کے بعد اس قابض جعلی حکومت کے وزراء نے پریس کانفرنسز کیں اور ایک جعلی بیانیہ بنانے کی کوشش کی ہم اس پوری جعلی حکومت کو چیلنج کرتے ہیں کہ کوئی ایسا کلپ، کوئی ٹوئٹ سامنے لائیں جس میں قاسم خان نے GSP+ سٹیٹس کی مخالفت کی ہو یا نقصان پہچانے کی کوشش کی ہو۔ میں تمام… pic.twitter.com/Ov1wvJOWtL

— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 29, 2026

Responding to the criticism, Afridi dismissed attempts to link Kasim Khan’s statement with the GSP Plus agreement, calling such interpretations misleading. Speaking to the media, he said the remarks—translated into Urdu for clarity—reflected a son’s personal concern and carried no political intent.

He shifted the focus to what he described as the broader state of democracy in Pakistan, alleging that democratic processes had been undermined over decades. Referring to the February 8 elections, Afridi claimed that vote rigging had compromised the public mandate, adding that a “fake government” had been imposed outside Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He warned that any potential loss of GSP Plus status would stem from federal policies, not individual statements.

The chief minister also accused the federal government of curbing democratic freedoms, suppressing journalists, and targeting dissent. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every citizen, yet the current environment restricts this right,” he said. He further expressed concern over the health of Imran Khan’s wife.

On economic and environmental fronts, Afridi criticised the federal government for relying on loans to run the economy and alleged mismanagement. He stated that 45 per cent of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa remains green, while accusing the federal authorities of cutting forests to develop urban settlements.

Reiterating his stance, Afridi claimed that the former prime minister was being unjustly imprisoned and subjected to inhumane treatment, along with his spouse, in violation of fundamental human rights.