- CM Sohail Afridi rejects ‘backroom deals and decisions,’ claims plots to disqualify and silence KP leadership
- Says party not anti-institutions, but pro-people, warning against unconstitutional moves against public mandate
SWAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday asserted that he and his party would firmly resist decisions taken “behind closed doors” and would not accept any “unconstitutional” move or “attempt to impose” Governor’s rule in the province.
Addressing supporters during a PTI street movement at Do Jangi Chowk in Mingora city of Swat district, the chief minister said that such “backroom decisions” were against the public mandate and would be “challenged openly.”
Earlier, CM Afridi arrived in Mingora, where party workers and leaders accorded him a grand welcome. His convoy was received red welcome at several key points, including Qamber Chowk, Balogram Chowk and Brikot Chowk.
He was accompanied by PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar, Provincial Minister for Higher Education Mina Khan Afridi, Information Minister Shafi Jan, MNAs Shahid Khan Khattak, Dr Amjad Ali, Saleem Rehman and Sohail Sultan, MPAs Fazal Hakeem Khan, Hamid Rehman and Ali Shah Khan, as well as advocates Akhtar Khan and Muhammad Naeem, along with other party leaders.
In his address, CM Afridi said that when former prime minister Imran Khan nominated him for the post of chief minister, there was resistance. However, he said, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave a clear mandate to Imran Khan through their votes, and the provincial government’s performance reflected that mandate.
He alleged that organised narratives were built against him, attempts were made to portray him as a terrorist, and a senior official even held a press conference displaying videos against him.
The chief minister further alleged that plans were hatched to impose Governor’s rule, disqualify him and even “target him for assassination,” while security operations in his native constituency led to the displacement of local residents.
CM Afridi emphasized that his party was not against the armed forces or state institutions, but would openly oppose any decision taken against the “will of the people” and would “act as dissenters” in such circumstances.
He warned that deliberate efforts were underway to create friction between the provincial government and institutions in an attempt to undermine the KP government.
Recalling an incident, he said he had once left an official meeting to attend the funeral of a fallen soldier, underscoring his respect for the armed forces.
The chief minister announced that all future communication with the federal government would be formally documented and treated as evidence.
He also announced that an “Afridi Qaumi Jirga” would be held on Sunday to ask the public whether they were forced to leave their areas or did so voluntarily, adding that if forced displacement was confirmed, he would personally accompany the affected people.
Afridi said that notifications issued over the past two to three days would be formally apologised for.
Calling Swat a land of dignity, he said its people would not remain silent spectators. He expressed support for Murad Saeed, saying he had faced opposition for standing up for public causes, and confirmed that the PTI street movement—directed by Imran Khan from jail—would continue with full preparation and strategy. He added that negotiation and protest responsibilities had been delegated to Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Nasir Raja.
