CM Sohail Afridi Rejects Governor’s Rule, Emergency in KP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said he will not accept any “illegal move” by the federal government, including the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in the province.
Afridi made the statement while addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in Mardan on Saturday, as the party’s long march entered its seventh day. The march, led by the chief minister, is demanding the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.
The federal government is reportedly considering imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in KP amid disagreements with the provincial government over counterterrorism policy.
Afridi warned that any such move or what he described as a wrong decision would change the march’s direction. He said the protesters could head towards Peshawar instead of Swabi before moving towards D-Chowk in Islamabad.
Calling on the public to join the protest for Imran Khan’s release, the chief minister said threats and the use of force would not discourage Pakhtuns or PTI supporters.
He maintained that arrests and other measures would not weaken the party’s resolve, adding that PTI would continue its struggle against what it considers injustices against its founder.
PTI MNA Muhammad Atif Khan also addressed the gathering, claiming that Afridi’s strategy had put the federal government in a difficult position.
The march began on October 4 after talks between the federal and provincial governments failed to resolve their differences. Counterterrorism measures remained one of the major points of disagreement.
Since its launch, the march’s route and schedule have changed several times. Although PTI initially announced plans to march towards Islamabad, the final destination remains uncertain, with the chief minister yet to disclose the strategy beyond Swabi.
The protest has so far remained within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI is in power.
Authorities Prepare to Block PTI March in Swabi
Meanwhile, authorities have transported shipping containers to Swabi Interchange and the Indus River bridge on the M-1 Motorway as preparations to restrict the march continue.
However, the motorway and the Grand Trunk Road remained open to traffic at the time of the report.
The Indus River bridge is a key crossing connecting Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afridi had earlier urged PTI supporters from across Pakistan to reach Swabi Interchange on October 11. However, PTI district president Sohail Yousafzai said the main convoy would arrive on Monday, October 12, following revised instructions from the chief minister.
According to Yousafzai, convoys from Peshawar, Malakand and Kohat are scheduled to reach Swabi on October 13. Participants from Hazara, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan are expected to arrive the following day.
Afridi is then expected to announce the movement’s next course of action.
The chief minister is also scheduled to address party workers at Shewa Adda in Razaar tehsil at 1pm, at the district headquarters at 3pm and in Topi tehsil at 5pm, according to the announced programme.
