Peshawar (The COW News Digital) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that peaceful protest is a constitutional and legal right, alleging that unidentified individuals in plain clothes are threatening provincial officials, police officers, elected representatives and political workers.
Addressing a provincial cabinet meeting in Peshawar, Afridi claimed that plain-clothes personnel had been targeting members of his party and elected representatives over the past several days. He alleged that Communications and Works Minister Shakeel Khan had survived an attempted attack and abduction, while unidentified individuals also visited the residence of Irrigation Minister Riaz Khan.
The chief minister further claimed that PTI workers and elected representatives had faced similar incidents in Dera Ismail Khan and other districts. He alleged that MNA Fazal Khan was abducted in Mardan and that unidentified individuals had also raided the residence of Fakhar Jahan.
Afridi questioned how elected representatives and provincial ministers could be expected to operate freely if, according to his allegations, they were being subjected to threats and intimidation.
He said his administration would continue to defend the right to peaceful protest, arguing that citizens should be able to demonstrate when they believe their grievances are not being heard through institutional channels.
The chief minister also addressed reports concerning restrictions on movement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country. He claimed that routes connecting the province with the rest of Pakistan were being closed, while movement in other areas remained comparatively open.
Afridi questioned the reasons behind what he described as attempts to isolate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the rest of the country. He also raised concerns about what he characterized as a possible attempt to create divisions between the province and other parts of Pakistan.
Referring to the political situation, the chief minister warned against any efforts that could contribute to division or confrontation. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an integral part of Pakistan and stressed his commitment to the country.
Afridi also addressed the provincial bureaucracy and police, including deputy commissioners and district police officers. He urged officials not to follow what he described as unlawful orders from any institution or department, while saying that the provincial government itself was not asking them to carry out illegal actions.
“Peaceful protest is our constitutional and legal right,” Afridi said, according to the statement. He maintained that his government would continue peaceful political activity as long as the right to protest remained protected under the Constitution.
The chief minister also urged residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan not to be intimidated by the ongoing political tensions. He called for what he described as a peaceful political struggle for rights and greater political freedom.
Afridi’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding PTI activities and its planned demonstrations. His statements included allegations against unidentified individuals and other political actors; the claims were presented by him during the cabinet meeting and were not independently established in the material provided.
The provincial government’s position highlights the continuing dispute between PTI-led authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and federal and security institutions over political protests, law enforcement and movement restrictions. The situation remains politically sensitive as preparations for further demonstrations continue.
