HYDERABAD/JAMSHORO: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday strongly criticised the federal government policies, alleging discrimination against the KP, theft of public mandate and political victimisation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Afridi said the federal government had been “imposed and was fake, formed by ignoring the people’s mandate and installing handpicked individuals through a regime change carried out on external instructions.”
He said: “Our mandate was stolen at the federal level despite having an elected government,” adding that decisions were being made at the behest of unseen forces.
The chief minister said the KP province was being treated like a stepchild, citing the blocking of his passport, delays in development projects and withholding of financial resources.
He said the KP had not been given its full share under the NFC Award, including the due share for the merged tribal districts, resulting in a loss of nearly Rs300 billion for the province.
Afridi said development projects in KP had been stalled by the federal government, while their costs had increased almost tenfold. He also alleged that false cases, fabricated allegations and defamatory videos were being used to malign him and his government.
Referring to the tribal districts, he said promises made to the erstwhile tribal areas (Fata), including Rs100 billion annually for ten years, were not fulfilled, as only Rs130 billion had been released in three years.
The chief minister said forced military operations were underway in parts of the province, particularly in Baka Khel, where people had been displaced without compensation. He claimed the provincial government had spent Rs7.5 billion on internally displaced persons, while the federal government had provided no support. He stressed that military operations were not a solution to political and security problems.
Afridi rejected and condemned the statement by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG regarding the continuation of operations, saying all major decisions were still being taken behind closed doors. He warned that repeating past experiments in KP would worsen the situation.
He also termed the imprisonment of Bushra Bibi unjust, alleging double standards in the Toshakhana cases. He claimed that if courts delivered justice, Imran Khan would be released within half an hour. He also said he was being denied meetings with his leader despite court orders, citing the Adiala jail superintendent’s refusal.
Commenting on public response, he said the PTI received an overwhelming welcome at more than 10 locations during his visit to Karachi and Hyderabad, attributing the affection to the party’s founder. “Yesterday [Friday] Karachi showed love, and today [Saturday] Hyderabad has shown even greater affection,” he remarked, congratulating the newly elected body of the Hyderabad Press Club.
He expressed the hope that journalists in Sindh would also raise their voices for the KP, just as the PTI had supported Sindh on the issue of its water rights. He invited Hyderabad journalists to visit KP and witness the province’s development firsthand.
Afridi said the KP had seen record tourism, with around 15 million tourists visiting the province last year. “If the KP was as unsafe as portrayed, tourists would not come,” he said, adding that the numbers could have been higher without floods.
He said the PTI would hold a public gathering at Jinnah Bagh, Karachi, despite delays in issuing an NOC. Even till 6pm, the NOC was not handed over despite permission, but the party will hold the rally today (Sunday), he asserted.
Earlier, the KP chief minister arrived in Hyderabad from Karachi on Saturday, where he was accorded a grand and enthusiastic welcome at various points along the route.
In Nooriabad, Jamshoro district, PTI leader Badal Palari received Afridi. Later, in Jamshoro, the KP CM met Sindh United Party (SUP) President and Vice Chairman of Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen-e-Pakistan Syed Zain Shah.
Upon reaching the GM Syed edifice, Syed Zain Shah and leaders of the Sindh United Party warmly welcomed the KP chief minister. Subsequently, a grand reception was organised under the auspices of the Sindh United Party. Addressing the gathering, CM Afridi said efforts were continuing for the independence of Pakistan’s judiciary. He said that Imran Khan had sent a message from jail calling for preparations for a street movement in Sindh. “When Imran Khan gives the call, you must support the street movement,” he said, adding that Sindh was still under Zardari’s control and even the gates of Karachi’s Jinnah Garden had been locked. He said this was not Bhutto’s Sindh but Zardari’s Sindh, and not Benazir’s either.
He accused the PPP of shaking the very structure of the Constitution through the 26th Constitutional Amendment, adding that the people of Sindh no longer wanted the PPP and were seeking freedom from its rule.
Later, after permission by the Sindh government was granted for the public gathering in Karachi, Sohail Afridi refrained from making any critical or controversial remarks at any venue. Even when he was asked a question about the performance of the Sindh government at the Hyderabad Press Club, Afridi avoided commenting and said that he could not judge it himself, adding that journalists present were well aware of the situation.
From Hyderabad’s Giddu Chowk to the High Court Bar Association, the short journey took hours due to massive crowds. Supporters showered flower petals, presented Ajraks and cultural gifts, while Sohail Afridi stepped out of his vehicle repeatedly to acknowledge the public reception.
At the Hyderabad High Court Bar Association, the KP chief minister received a rousing welcome and addressed lawyers at the bar auditorium. He expressed hope that lawyers would play a key role in the street movement.
Meanwhile, according to a Geo News report, a meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was cancelled on Saturday as they were said to be busy fulfilling their responsibilities.
