KP CM unveils protest roadmap, vows ‘decisive show’ in Islamabad

• Sohail Afridi announces AJK visit on April 25, Lahore rally on May 1, saying movement follows directives of jailed PTI founder

• Signals readiness for immediate Islamabad march upon ‘go-ahead,’ announcing Rs50b development package for Mardan

• Slams federal govt over inflation, law and order, cases against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi

 MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday outlined his party’s political roadmap, announcing planned visits to Azad Jammu and Kashmir on April 25—coinciding with the party’s foundation day—and to Lahore on May 1, as part of an ongoing street movement directed by incarcerated founder Imran Khan, according to the CM’s press secretary.

Addressing a charged public gathering in Mardan, the chief minister said he had conveyed a message to Imran Khan, expressing readiness for a “decisive show” in Islamabad.

کچھ دن قبل میں نے عمران خان کو پیغام بھیجا کہ میں بھی تیار ہوں، قوم بھی تیار ہے ، آپ حکم کریں اگلے دن ہم اسلام آباد ہونگے۔ میرے لیڈر نے کہا ابھی میری کال کا انتظار کرو، لیکن دس دن کے اندر خیبرپختونخوا میں جلسہ کرو آج دیکھو اتنی بڑی تعداد میں لوگ آئے۔یہ سب عمران خان کی وجہ سے آئے… pic.twitter.com/i0g6kpjFOh

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) April 19, 2026

“I conveyed to him that I am ready, the nation is ready, Pakistanis are ready … If you give us the go-ahead, we will be in Islamabad the next day,” he told the crowd.

He said Imran had directed him to consult leaders of Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, including Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mehmood Khan Achakzai, adding that he would take their views into account.

Criticising the federal government, the KP CM said it had failed to force Imran Khan to bow despite what he termed “baseless and fabricated cases” against him and his spouse Bushra Bibi.

He accused the government of “cruelty and injustice” against Imran, his sisters and Bushra Bibi, and alleged that both were being denied medical treatment of their choice, calling it “sheer injustice” and “contrary to the Constitution.”

سونامی مردان سے ٹکرا گئی pic.twitter.com/6YPISeqsbg

— PTI Sindh (@PTISindhX) April 19, 2026

He demanded the immediate release of the PTI founder and his spouse.

The chief minister also announced a Rs50 billion package for the completion of development projects in Mardan district.

Blaming what he described as the “failed policy” of the federal government for the prevailing law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said Imran Khan had ensured peace in the province through “effective policies” during his tenure and that he would continue to follow the same approach.

He further claimed that prices had surged after “power was snatched” from Imran, lamenting declining purchasing power and rising inflation. “Now, most of the people are ready to commit suicide due to poverty,” he remarked.

The KP CM said the GDP growth rate stood at six per cent during Imran Khan’s tenure at the Centre but had now declined to two per cent.

He, however, welcomed the hosting of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, saying Pakistan deserved credit for facilitating dialogue aimed at restoring regional peace.