PTI postpones protest on Imran Khan’s instructions

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had postponed its planned protest on the instructions of former prime minister Imran Khan, citing the prevailing international situation.

Speaking at a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, Afridi said the decision had been taken in view of broader national considerations. "In such circumstances, postponing the protest is a manifestation of Pakistan's larger interest, national responsibility, and high-mindedness," he said, adding that "It proves that Imran Khan always places the interest of the state and the nation above his personal or political gains."

Afridi said the message received from Imran Khan in Adiala Jail carried unusual significance in the current national and international environment. He said the respect and acceptance Pakistan was receiving at regional and global levels stemmed from a consistent policy that, according to him, had been laid down by Imran Khan in 2002.

The chief minister also said that the effects of what he described as wrong decisions taken in the past had continued to affect Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the rest of the country, directly and indirectly, for the last 21 years, adding that Pakistan had still not fully recovered from their consequences.

Regional policy and Afghanistan

On regional policy, Afridi said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government wanted to move ahead with Afghanistan through meaningful talks and dialogue in order to secure lasting peace in the region, especially in the province.

He said provincial political leaders, tribal elders and local influencers should be included in the process, arguing that they had deep social, cultural and family links with the Afghan people. He said such participation would be more effective than what he described as merely ceremonial or ineffective representation. "Without taking into account Pashtun society's traditions, values, jirga system, and mutual relationships, no negotiation process can yield the desired results,"Afridi added.

Future political plans

The chief minister said Imran Khan had also directed that a major public gathering be held in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa soon, adding that political decisions would be made through collective wisdom. "All decisions regarding protests and public meetings will be taken according to Imran Khan's directives. We do not consider ourselves bigger leaders than him; we are his soldiers," he said.

Afridi warned that if PTI continued to be pushed against the wall and subjected to what he called discriminatory treatment, the party would stage a strong protest within its constitutional and legal rights.

He said the message received from Adiala Jail showed Imran Khan’s satisfaction with the efforts of the provincial leadership. "This trust has not only encouraged us but has also infused new energy and passion into the provincial leadership,"he added.

While saying that the international appreciation Pakistan was receiving was a matter of pride, Afridi stressed that democratic values, political freedom and human rights also needed to be protected within the country.