PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi has expressed concern over measures taken by the federal government to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, saying the party would not be deterred by roadblocks, containers or other restrictions. His latest remarks come ahead of the PTI’s planned September 27 protest, which he has previously described as a peaceful political activity. Afridi alleged that installing barriers and spikes along the KP boundary amounted to an attempt to isolate the province from the rest of the country. He termed the move alarming and questioned whether efforts were being made to create a divide between KP and other parts of Pakistan. The chief minister further alleged that the federal government was pursuing policies that portrayed the people of KP negatively and said the measures being taken against the province were dangerous. He maintained that Pakistan would remain united and that his government would continue to defend the province’s constitutional rights. Afridi also alleged that officials from other provinces were entering KP and clashing with provincial officials and questioned whether the federal authorities had lost confidence in the provincial administration and police. He claimed that provincial ministers and PTI leaders were being targeted and alleged that some ministers had been subjected to attempts at abduction and violence. These allegations were part of his broader criticism of the authorities’ handling of PTI’s political activities. Similar allegations regarding action against PTI workers and elected representatives have previously been made by Afridi and other party leaders. The KP chief minister said the PTI’s long march would remain peaceful and would go ahead despite restrictions. He warned that if roads were blocked with containers or other obstacles, his supporters would still come out. Afridi has previously said that the protest is being pursued as a constitutional and legal right and that he would lead the march towards Islamabad. Afridi also criticized the closure of government offices and other facilities on security grounds, questioning the justification given for such measures. He alleged that security threats were being used to disrupt the functioning of the province. He further accused the federal authorities of focusing on PTI and its leaders instead of addressing terrorism and other security challenges. In a separate meeting on Thursday, Afridi directed the KP police to resist unlawful directions and remain focused on their professional responsibilities, while describing recent events as regrettable. The chief minister said the PTI would announce its detailed plan for the September 27 protest and maintained that attempts to pressure the party into abandoning its political objectives would not succeed. The PTI has repeatedly said that its planned mobilization will be peaceful and conducted through constitutional and democratic means.
