PESHAWAR (The COW News Digital): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said his government will not become part of what he described as flawed policies, declaring that he has refused to bow to powerful forces and would continue to stand with the people of the province.
Addressing participants of the PTI long march at Jail Chowk in Karak before the convoy moved onward, Afridi thanked residents of Karak and the southern region for welcoming the marchers.
The chief minister alleged that terrorism and insecurity had been imposed on the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through what he called a deliberate strategy. He said the province had once again been witnessing bloodshed, displacement and economic losses, while military operations and drone attacks had continued.
Afridi said innocent civilians, police personnel and soldiers had lost their lives amid the security situation. He argued that the people of the province had repeatedly paid a heavy price and should not be subjected to policies that, in his view, had failed to deliver lasting peace.
Criticizing his opponents, Afridi said he had been described as inexperienced for standing alongside his supporters. He responded that if supporting his people and speaking for Pakistan was considered a lack of understanding, he was prepared to continue doing so.
The chief minister also accused the authorities of adopting policies that were contributing to divisions within the country. He alleged that the provincial government was being pressured to become part of a policy it did not support.
Afridi repeatedly used the phrase “Absolutely Not” while describing his position toward what he called pressure from powerful quarters. He said he was a political worker and supporter of PTI founder Imran Khan and would not accept measures that he believed were against the interests of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He further alleged that the situation had moved beyond the control of those responsible for the policies and claimed that even people who had previously been rehabilitated were no longer under their influence.
The chief minister accused certain political forces of attempting to create divisions between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan. He said his government would resist any effort aimed at separating the province from the rest of the country.
Afridi also praised soldiers who had lost their lives while serving the country, saying their sacrifices were part of the nation’s collective identity. At the same time, he claimed that public dissatisfaction with the existing political system was visible across Pakistan.
He called on supporters from different parts of the country to reach Swabi, saying further instructions regarding the movement would be announced there.
Referring to Imran Khan’s imprisonment, Afridi said the PTI founder had chosen to remain firm despite the difficulties he was facing. He argued that if Khan had been seeking personal political gain, he could have compromised, but instead had continued to resist.
Afridi urged supporters to decide whether they wanted what he called “real freedom” or were willing to accept what he described as political subordination. He said PTI’s struggle would continue alongside Imran Khan and called for the party’s democratic demands to be accepted.
The chief minister’s remarks came as the PTI long march continued toward its next destination, with tensions remaining high between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration.
