SWAT/LOWER DIR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that he stands openly against decisions made behind ‘closed doors’, claiming conspiracies were being hatched to impose governor’s rule in the province and even assassinate him.

He vowed to foil any ‘unconstitutional’ move in his province. He made the remarks while addressing a large rally under the PTI’s ‘Street Movement’ at Amankot Chowk in Mingora on Sunday.

Earlier, the chief minister arrived at Amankot Chowk, where party workers and leaders gave him a warm reception. His convoy was also welcomed at Qambar Chowk, Balogram Chowk, and in Barikot. He later addressed gatherings at various locations.

Provincial Minister for higher education Meena Khan Afridi, information minister Shafi Jan, MNAs Shahid Khan Khattak, Dr Amjad Ali, Saleem Rehman and Suhail Sultan, along with MPAs Fazal Hakeem Khan, Hameedur Rehman, Ali Shah Khan Advocate, Akhtar Khan Advocate, Mohammad Naeem, and other party leaders accompanied the chief minister.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Afridi said: “When PTI founder Imran Khan nominated me for the office of chief minister, there was strong opposition, but the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave him (Imran) a clear mandate through their votes, and now this province will continue to be governed under his leadership.”

Claims conspiracies being hatched to impose governor’s rule in KP, disqualify and even assassinate him

He alleged that “organised narratives were deliberately created against him; efforts were made to portray him as a terrorist, and even a press conference was held by the head of an institution in which videos were shown against him.”

The chief minister further claimed: “Plans were made to impose governor’s rule in KP, to disqualify me, and even to assassinate me, while an operation was launched in my ancestral constituency that displaced local residents.”

He clarified, “We are not against the army or other state institutions, but we will openly oppose decisions taken behind closed doors against the will of the people.”

The chief minister said that “a deliberate attempt is being made to create confrontation between the provincial government and institutions in order to defame the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.” Referring to an incident, he added, “When I received the news of a soldier’s martyrdom, I immediately left a meeting and attended the funeral, which clearly shows our respect for state institutions.”

Announcing a change in approach, the chief minister said, “From today onwards, every matter with the federal government will be conducted in writing and with evidence.”

He added, “A jirga of the Afridi tribe will be convened to ask the people whether they were forcibly displaced or left their areas voluntarily. If the people confirm displacement, I myself will accompany them back to Tirah.”

Mr Afridi said, “Swat is the land of the brave, and its people will not remain silent spectators.” Referring to Murad Saeed, he stated, “The PTI leader was declared undesirable for raising the people’s case, but we stand with him because he has remained firm in defending public rights.”

The chief minister further said, “Imran Khan has issued clear instructions for a street movement from jail, and the enthusiasm of the people in Mingora proves that the public is fully prepared.”

He added, “Imran Khan has entrusted the authority for negotiations and protests to the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Nasir Raja, and this time the protest will be carried out with full preparation and a clear strategy.”

Meanwhile, CM Afridi said the province was “not a laboratory” for political experiments, vowing to stand firm with the Pakhtuns and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a big protest rally in Chakdara, the chief minister said the ruling authorities were afraid of the public, adding that honour, disgrace, life and death rested with Allah and he would not be intimidated, our correspondent from Lower Dir adds.

“I am Imran Khan’s soldier and all my ministers are his soldiers. The PTI founder is in jail for the sake of our children while his sisters are making sacrifices. The courts are unable to deliver justice to him,” he said, adding that workers were ready to make any sacrifice for his release.

Mr Afridi vowed that his party would continue struggle within the bounds of the Constitution and law. “We will face every challenge. This is Imran Khan’s instruction – prepare for a street movement.”

PTI provincial president and MNA Junaid Akbar also addressed the gathering and took a pledge from workers that they would rise in unison if governor’s rule was imposed.

The crowd chanted slogans in support of the PTI founder throughout the rally.

Earlier, PTI workers gave a warm welcome to the chief minister upon his arrival in Chakdara. Although he was scheduled to reach the venue at 2pm, he arrived around 5.35pm.

From early morning, party workers led by PTI lawmakers from Lower and Upper Dir, and Bajaur began gathering at Chakdara Chowk. The venue was packed by the time the chief minister arrived.

Before his address, MPAs Malik Shafiullah, Ubaidur Rehman, Hamayun Khan, Malik Liaquat Ali, Azam Khan, Anwarzeb, Razaullah, former MNA Gul Dad, and MNA Sibghatullah, among others, spoke to keep workers engaged.

Speakers said a “sea of people” would take to the streets on February 8 for Imran Khan’s release, adding that the PTI founder would soon return to the public as he could not be kept in jail any longer. They said party workers had made sacrifices in the past and would not hesitate to do so again. Workers remained charged throughout the gathering, chanting slogans in favour of the PTI founder.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2026