PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday alleged the federal government for protecting interests of those who brought them to power, prioritising political objectives over matters of public welfare.
The chief minister, in a statement issued from his office regarding the public gathering scheduled for August 5, criticised the federal government over its silence on concerning issues relating to Balochistan and Kashmir.
Mr Afridi called upon KP residents, particularly youth, to participate in the public gathering scheduled, describing the event as a decisive occasion to make important announcements.
Says Aug 5 public meeting to be ‘semi-final’ in party’s ongoing political struggle
He said the gathering would serve as a ‘semi-final’ in the party’s ongoing political efforts and urged citizens to peacefully raise their voices against the ongoing injustice, inflation, unemployment and deteriorating security conditions.
While explaining the significance of the gathering, the chief minister expressed serious concern over the health of founder PTI Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, adding, despite their reported medical condition, constitutional and legal demand for treatment under the supervision of their personal physicians, had not been fulfilled.
Mr Afridi alleged that Mr Khan continued to be held in solitary confinement and denied access to family members, party leaders, personal physicians and his sons, adding that withholding information regarding Mr Khan’s health was unlawful and asserted that he was being treated in a manner inconsistent with his constitutional and legal rights.
He maintained that Mr Khan had not been afforded due process and that court proceedings had been delayed and judicial orders not being implemented. He stated that requests submitted through all relevant constitutional and legal forums including the speaker, the prime minister, the chief justice Islamabad High Court had failed to provide justice to Imran Khan.
He noted that his party had exercised restraint over the past two years but that restrictions on meetings and access had nevertheless remained in place, adding that after pursuing all available constitutional and legal remedies, peaceful public protest remained the only democratic option.
The chief minister asserted that efforts to pressure Mr Khan would not succeed, stating that imprisonment had not diminished his resolve.
While emphasising importance of constitutional governance, Mr Afridi said that all political and national issues should be resolved through constitutional and legal means.
He also expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, citing rising inflation, unemployment and insecurity and argued that the government’s attention remained focused on restricting Mr Khan rather than addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
The chief minister stated that a small number of individuals, acting out of personal considerations, were placing Pakistan’s future at risk and expressed confidence that the country’s youth would not allow that course to continue.
He described Mr Khan as the only political leader capable of uniting the nation and providing effective leadership for Pakistan’s future, adding that he believed the country’s unity and stability were closely linked to his leadership.
Referring to legal proceedings against himself, the chief minister stated that cases relating to the events of 9 May had been reopened despite his acquittal and that fresh investigations had been initiated, adding that additional cases had been scheduled for hearing on 28 and 29 July.
He said these proceedings would neither intimidate nor influence him and reaffirmed his commitment to Mr Khan’s political ideology.
He alleged unequal treatment by state institutions, stating that the election commission initiated proceedings against him for delivering a speech in another district, while it did not take any similar action against the chief minister of another province for actively campaigning and seeking votes during an election campaign.
Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026
