Sohail Afridi: “If I’m not allowed to meet Imran Khan, I will announce my future course of action”
Peshawar (Web News)
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, has said that if he is not allowed to meet Imran Khan, he will announce his future course of action. He stated that he would only sit with the Ministry of Interior after meeting the party founder.
Addressing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, he said, “One day of a lion’s rule is better than a hundred years of a jackal’s reign. I will serve in accordance with the aspirations of this province and its people. I will not let the people of my province bow their heads. My leader is the father of this system.”
He said that the agenda from the Prime Minister was not related to law and order. Afridi paid tribute to Muzzammil Aslam, saying he fought the province’s case effectively. He further said that the Punjab government had blocked the supply of wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that he raised the wheat issue in the Prime Minister’s meeting.
Speaking about Afghan refugees, he said the province’s stance was clear: “Our leader had already given a policy regarding refugees — those who have been living here for 40 or 45 years should be sent back respectfully. Repatriation of Afghan refugees is a national policy, and we will act accordingly.”
Afridi said that the proposals given by the provincial government to the federation had been accepted and that a declaration for dismantling Afghan refugee camps overnight was issued. The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate with the provincial government, he added. “After meeting our party founder, we will sit with the Ministry of Interior. The opposition should support us for the rights of the province,” he stated.
He said that the federation owes the province Rs. 500 billion. “We were given old and expired vehicles, which we will return. Negotiations in Doha and Istanbul are welcome, but we have reservations about them. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted for PTI based on performance. The deteriorating law and order situation is the result of decisions made behind closed doors — we will not accept such decisions.”
Afridi announced that a medical college and university have been approved for the tribal districts. He instructed that no false FIRs be registered in the province, no political worker be arrested under 3-MPO, and no student be booked in any case. Women police stations are being established, and there will be zero tolerance for corruption. A transparent transfer policy will be formulated. The Ehsaas Program initiatives will continue, and the new Billion Tree Tsunami Program will be launched. “This time, change will be visible in its true sense,” he said.
Afridi added that after his name surfaced for the position of Chief Minister, baseless allegations were made against him. “A narrative is being built to portray me as a failure — that I will clash with institutions and the federation. Is it a confrontation if I speak of the constitution and law or want to meet my leader?”
He said, “I am not being allowed to meet my leader, which is why the formation of the cabinet is delayed. If I speak for the rights of my people, I will do so boldly. If I am not allowed to meet my leader, I will present my case before the people — before the people of Charsadda and Khyber, and I will present it in Karak — and announce my future course of action.”
Later, the session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.