MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday said he has conveyed to Imran Khan that he and his supporters are prepared to mobilise in Islamabad at short notice, pending his approval.
Addressing a public gathering in Mardan, Sohail Afridi said he informed the incarcerated PTI founder that both the party and its supporters were ready to move. “If you give the go-ahead, we will be in Islamabad the next day,” he told the crowd.
He added that Imran Khan had advised consultation with leaders of the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, including Raja Nasir Abbas and Mehmood Khan Achakzai, before taking any further steps.
Sohail Afridi criticised the federal government, alleging that it had failed to pressure Imran Khan despite filing what he described as “baseless” cases against him and his wife, Bushra Bibi. He also accused authorities of denying them adequate access to medical care, calling it unconstitutional and unjust.
Afridi demanded the immediate release of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, while also announcing a Rs50 billion development package for projects in the Mardan district.
Commenting on the province’s security situation, he blamed the federal government’s policies for worsening law and order, contrasting them with what he termed effective governance during Imran Khan’s tenure.
He further criticised rising inflation and declining purchasing power, claiming economic conditions had deteriorated significantly in recent years. Afridi stated that Pakistan’s growth rate had dropped compared to what he described as stronger performance during the previous PTI-led government.
Despite his criticism, Sohail Afridi welcomed Pakistan’s role in facilitating ongoing talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, saying such efforts contribute to regional peace.
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions and ongoing legal challenges facing the PTI leadership.