Rulers Prevent Understanding Between Us and Establishment: KP CM Sohail Afridi

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has alleged that the federal rulers are preventing an understanding between his government and the establishment, claiming that a single person’s policy is being followed in the country and that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi represents that policy.

Speaking to senior journalists, Afridi said Juned Akbar was responsible for the political side while he was handling the government’s responsibilities, adding that he was leading the movement on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan.

He said preparations for the march scheduled for October 4 had been completed.

Claims of Revenue Growth and Development Projects

Afridi said provincial revenue had increased from Rs64 billion to Rs150 billion and would be taken to Rs200 billion. He said development work was underway in Peshawar, including efforts to raise the water table, while a 1,000-bed Benazir Hospital was also being constructed.

He added that another 1,000-bed hospital was being built in Malakand.

The chief minister said there had been no political preference in the appointment of project directors for Asian Development Bank and World Bank projects, adding that he had rejected all forms of pressure regarding appointments.

He said projects worth Rs60 billion under the Annual Development Programme and World Bank were underway. He alleged that some people who had received Rs7 billion to Rs10 billion were unable to account for the funds.

Afridi said this year would be one of peace, development and prosperity in the province.

Calls for Improved Relations with Afghanistan

The KP chief minister said unnecessary disputes were being created with Afghanistan and claimed that the closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border had caused a loss of Rs7 billion to the province this year, against an expected annual revenue of Rs10 billion.

He said infiltration was continuing despite restrictions on people entering from Afghanistan and maintained that good relations with Afghanistan were in Pakistan’s interest.

Afridi called for an end to the distinction between “good” and “bad” elements and urged authorities to restore public confidence. He said police should take indiscriminate action against those spreading violence.

He said the provincial government had prepared an action plan and shared it with the relevant authorities. He also proposed holding talks with Afghanistan through a national jirga.

Says PTI Will Proceed with October 4 March

Afridi said his government had been approaching various institutions for nine months but had received no response, which, he said, had compelled it to issue the call for September 27.

He alleged that court orders allowing 18 people to meet the PTI founder on a weekly basis were not being implemented.

He also criticised statements by the federal information minister describing PTI as a “B-team” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), calling the statement pre-planned.

Afridi said the PTI would come out on October 4 and return only after achieving what it described as “real freedom.” He stressed that the party was political rather than an armed group and said it had never refused negotiations.

He said the delay in the march was a matter of strategy and that preparations were complete.

Criticism of Federal Government

Afridi alleged that government affairs were being repeatedly interfered with and claimed that an FIR in the case involving Shakil Khan had been registered after pressure was allegedly exerted on the deputy commissioner.

He also criticised the purchase of an aircraft reportedly costing Rs11 billion, questioning whether such spending constituted good governance.

The chief minister further claimed that Pakistan’s debt had increased significantly, though he did not provide figures or a source for the claim during the briefing.

Afridi said he was prepared to continue the march under all circumstances and warned that the PTI could take to the streets even before October 4 if what he termed a “misadventure” took place.

He said, “There is one person’s policy in the country, whose representative is Mohsin Naqvi,” while adding that he considered himself a “soldier of Imran Khan.”

Afridi further said that if the chief minister’s office came between him and his political objective, he would give up the position.

He also warned that imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would trigger what he described as an unprecedented public reaction.

Asked about the possibility of losing the chief minister’s office, Afridi said that if he was removed, the decision regarding his replacement would be made by Imran Khan.