Afridi threatens revolt to 'force change'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned that the PTI will "rebel" if necessary to force a change in the federal government policies that are "harming the province". He has also warned the government against resorting to "any kind of adventurism" during the PTI's October 4 long march, claiming that such attempts will be counterproductive and harm the government. The CM expressed these views on Tuesday during the inauguration of new hybrid buses in Peshawar and a press conference. On Monday, some federal ministers publicly raised the possibility of federal intervention in K-P. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said consultations were under way on the "constitutional and legal option" of imposing Governors' Rule. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also said if constitutional conditions for such a step or an emergency were met, it could be implemented. K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi separately warned the provincial government against creating a situation that could force the Centre to impose Governors' Rule. Afridi, however, rejected the warnings and said he would not retreat from his position because of threats of Governors' Rule or an emergency. He also said PTI supporters could take to the streets at short notice if an attempt was made to remove him. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, he said decisions concerning the province could not be taken behind closed doors. He said those making such decisions would be brought to the table and policies would be changed, particularly those that he believed were contributing to bloodshed in K-P. "If needed, we will rebel," Afridi said, adding that he would not accept policies that caused further suffering to the K-P people. He also reiterated his call for the October 4 march, saying it would take place "come what may" and describing it as potentially the biggest long march in Pakistan's history. In a message to PTI workers posted on X, Afridi urged them to come out for the march at all costs. Addressing a press conference at the CM House, Afridi said the federal government had failed to demonstrate performance in any area and that even those who had brought the present government to power had realised that an incompetent government had been imposed on the people. Comparing the performance of the former PTI government at the Centre with that of the incumbent government, he said Pakistan's GDP growth rate had stood at 6.1% during Imran Khan's tenure but had fallen to 2.3% under the present government due to its incompetence. Afridi claimed that such a large number of people would come out on October 4 that the authorities would not be able to handle the situation. He warned that any attempt at an "adventure" would draw a public response. He said K-P was the only province where the government had come to power through the strength of the people and not on anyone's "crutches". He criticised television commentators whom he described as "cartoons", saying that they were telling the people that they were "insects". He said there was intense anger among the people of K-P and that the "cartoon network" was creating hatred among the public. "Two clowns and cartoons of the federal government have been placed on television with two objectives: to divert public attention from the October 4 Long March and to distract people from the government's corruption," he said. Afridi alleged that the PML-N was planning to create unrest in the country. He called upon the people to come unarmed on October 4 and exercise their right to peaceful protest. The CM said anyone found carrying an object capable of causing harm would be apprehended and handed over to the police. Such a person, he said, would not be considered part of their movement and would instead be associated with the PML-N or those who had brought them to power. "The October 4 long march will take place under all circumstances and will remain peaceful. The people will exercise their democratic right to peaceful protest and no provocation or act involving damage or harm will be permitted," he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister also expressed anger over a letter reportedly written by PTI provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai seeking postponement of the October 4 march. According to sources, the letter caused displeasure among members of the parliamentary party. When Yousafzai attempted to explain his position, the meeting reportedly ended. Afridi said the letter had not reached him. He added that had it reached him, he would have torn it up and thrown it into the wastepaper basket.

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