KP CM Sohail Afridi Meets Opposition Leaders Over September 27 Protest
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday met National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in Islamabad to discuss the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protest planned for September 27.
The PTI has announced a nationwide protest, including a proposed long march towards Islamabad, seeking the release of party founder Imran Khan and calling for the supremacy of the Constitution.
Opposition Alliance Reaffirms Support for Protest
The meeting was attended by Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) spokesperson Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai. The opposition alliance, led by Achakzai, had expressed support for the PTI’s September 27 protest during discussions held on Friday.
According to a statement issued by TTAP, the participants held detailed political consultations on the protest and discussed the future course of action, political strategy and ways to organise the movement.
The statement said the discussions focused on advancing the protest as an organised political activity aimed at highlighting constitutional supremacy, democratic rights, provincial rights and what the alliance described as protection of the public mandate.
Afridi, Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas had also met on Thursday to discuss preparations for the September 27 protest, shortly after the KP chief minister completed his visit to Punjab.
Islamabad Court Raises Constitutional Concerns
The planned PTI gatherings have also faced legal challenges.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC), while hearing a petition against the proposed activities, observed that any action resulting in the infringement of citizens’ fundamental rights would amount to a violation of the Constitution.
Petitioner Waqas Ahmed had challenged the planned protest, arguing that such activities could affect routine life, traffic and business activities in Islamabad.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday that the government would prevent anyone from marching towards the federal capital. He also warned that those violating the IHC’s directions could face contempt of court proceedings.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi Prepare for March
Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have already started preparations in anticipation of the PTI’s announced march.
The administrations have reportedly sought additional personnel, arranged containers and made preparations for crowd-control measures. Requests concerning the possible detention of activists and procurement of anti-riot equipment have also been part of the preparations.
Meanwhile, the PTI has been working to mobilise supporters ahead of September 27, with CM Sohail Afridi visiting Sindh and Punjab as part of the party’s campaign.
Dispute During Afridi’s Punjab Visit
Afridi’s recent visit to Punjab also resulted in a dispute between the KP chief minister and local authorities.
During the visit, Afridi alleged that authorities in Lahore had abducted him and later left him by the roadside. He subsequently claimed that an individual had been sent to kill him.
The Punjab government rejected his allegations of arrest, while Wazirabad police said the man identified in Afridi’s claim was actually a police constable assigned to security duties during the KP chief minister’s visit.
With the September 27 protest approaching, political consultations between the PTI and opposition groups are continuing, while federal and local authorities are making preparations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
