Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi visited the residences of several senior PTI leaders in Lahore, paying tribute to their struggle and openly challenging political rivals to test public popularity through rallies.
During a series of high-profile visits and media interactions, the KP chief minister defended PTI’s strength, criticised political opponents, and announced preparations for a street movement.
Speaking to the media alongside Ejaz Chaudhry’s wife and son at their residence, Afridi said PTI pays tribute and salutes the struggle of Chaudhry and other leaders who are “unjustly imprisoned.”
The chief minister said that seeing Ejaz Chaudhry and other incarcerated PTI leaders gives him courage and strength. “I will never forget his attitude towards the people; it has been engraved in my mind,” Afridi said, adding that such conduct defines true leadership.
Rally challenge to opponents
Addressing critics who claim PTI has lost its political standing in Punjab, Afridi issued a direct challenge. “Those who say PTI is over in Punjab should let us hold a rally in Lahore,” he said, adding that “everyone will know who is popular.”
Afridi also invited his political opponents to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Let them come to KP and hold a rally. I will provide vehicles and decorate the stage myself,” he said, stressing that political strength should be tested through public support.
Rival political mindset
The KP chief minister alleged that rival politicians flee the country when they are out of power and focus on accumulating wealth when in government. He said such actions were like spreading hatred between the people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that this attitude is not understood or accepted in KP.
Afridi highlighted what he called KP’s democratic culture.
“In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even the opposition leader can speak for 45 minutes, and we do not stop him,” he said, contrasting it with his treatment in Lahore.
Visits to other senior PTI leaders
During his Lahore stay, Sohail Afridi also visited the homes of several senior PTI figures, including Mian Azhar, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, Dr Yasmin Rashid, and Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s son Zain Qureshi welcomed him during the visit. PTI central leaders Salman Akram Raja and Shaukat Basra were also present during this visit.
‘Not allowed to meet party leaders'
In a media talk at Qureshi's residence, Afridi said he was not allowed to meet party leaders and even denied a meeting with his own leader. “The way I have been treated since yesterday reflects mental weakness,” he said.
Responding strongly, the KP chief minister said, “The whole of Pakistan is mine. I can go wherever I want.”
He added that he has instructions to prepare for a street movement and vowed to take preparations much further in the coming days.
