By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Sohail Afridi, arrived in Lahore on Friday amid heightened tensions between his party and the Punjab government, as his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sought to ignite a new wave of street protests in the heart of the country’s most populous province.
Afridi’s visit, expected to last three days, unfolded against a backdrop of roadblocks, arrests and pointed exchanges between political leaders, underscoring the deepening rift between the PTI and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Party officials said the chief minister planned to rally supporters at Liberty Roundabout in the evening, part of a broader push to demand the release of the PTI’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan.
Video footage shared by the PTI on the social media platform X showed Afridi’s vehicle being showered with flowers by supporters as he reached the residence of party leader Latif Khosa around 6 pm. Earlier, another clip captured his convoy entering Lahore via a toll plaza, even as vehicles carrying party workers were halted and the plaza was shut down.
Speaking to reporters after crossing the Ravi Toll Plaza, Afridi said at least seven accompanying vehicles had been stopped. “Workers from Mandi Bahauddin were stopped from travelling to Lahore through Bhera,” he said, adding that roads had been blocked and party workers arrested. When informed that media vehicles were also denied entry, he remarked, “Democratic governments do not do things like this.”
Asked for a message to Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Afridi replied, “The CM does not understand that by taking these actions, she is worsening tensions between two provinces.” Responding to claims that Khan posed a security threat, he said, “My message is this: Imran Khan is a symbol of national unity and guarantees political and economic stability.”
Afridi, accompanied by provincial ministers, cabinet members and parliamentarians, is also set to visit the Punjab Assembly, where he plans to meet opposition lawmakers and address the media. Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi wrote to the assembly speaker requesting arrangements for the visit, including seating, protocol and security. “During the visit, he will hold a meeting with the opposition members and will also interact with representatives of the media,” the letter stated. “The chief minister will remain in the Assembly until 8pm.”
A video posted by the PTI showed opposition lawmakers gathering at the assembly to greet him. Sources said the Punjab Assembly secretariat had approved entry for Afridi and his delegation, with a full list provided to security.
Punjab’s information minister, Azma Bukhari, extended a cautious welcome to Afridi, urging him to enjoy the city’s sights but warning against any disruption. “He is free to see the lights, eat local food and enjoy the city,” she told reporters, but added that abusive language or property damage would not be tolerated. Bukhari recalled how a previous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, had been shown “the lights of Lahore” during his visit, suggesting Afridi should observe Punjab’s progress and replicate it back home. Bukhari noted that Lahore police had tried to contact Afridi’s staff without response, but concluded, “We will extend warm hospitality to guests. But guests must behave like guests.”
PTI Punjab party alleged that police had arrested scores of leaders and workers late Thursday night. “The Punjab government is scared to the extent that police began carrying out raids on Thursday night and picked hundreds of party workers,” said PTI lawmaker Farrukh Javed Moon in a video message, calling for a democratic welcome instead.
During his stay, Afridi is expected to address lawyers at the Lahore High Court Bar on Saturday, visit senior PTI leaders like Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, meet journalists and possibly see incarcerated party members in Kot Lakhpat jail. Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer said the chief minister would be welcomed if he visited. The trip coincides with tentative signals of dialogue between the government and opposition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered talks on Wednesday, noting that Khan and his allies were discussing the possibility. Leaders of the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan alliance, including PTI’s Asad Qaiser and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said after a meeting that they were ready to discuss national issues.
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