CM Sohail Afridi Explodes Outside Supreme Court: “Will the Country Run by the Constitution or the Baton?”
Islamabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday launched a scathing protest outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan, questioning the non-implementation of judicial orders and what he described as the erosion of constitutional supremacy. “Will this country run according to the Constitution or by force?” he asked during an impassioned press conference.
Speaking to reporters, Afridi claimed that since April 9, 2022, the judiciary has been “held hostage,” adding that the 26th Constitutional Amendment was used to further weaken it. “It’s tragic that even a jail superintendent or constable can defy the orders of honorable judges — this undermines the dignity of the judiciary,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with the judges, Afridi said, “We stand like a rock with all those judges who are striving to deliver justice.” He urged the judiciary to speak out if it was under any pressure, so that lawyers and the public could formulate a collective response in defense of the Constitution.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan’s legal cases, Afridi said that despite his acquittals, hearings in cases like the Al-Qadir Trust reference were being deliberately delayed. “The whole world knows that the day justice is served in Pakistan, Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and all unjustly imprisoned workers will be free,” he asserted. “Unfortunately, verdicts are being issued — but justice is not.”
Afridi also confirmed his name was on today’s meeting list for visiting Imran Khan and said he would make every effort to meet him. “If permission is denied, we will wait for the court’s decision on our contempt petition,” he added.
Responding to criticism for focusing on protests instead of provincial governance, Afridi remarked, “Until the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution are ensured in the country, even rivers of milk in the province would be meaningless.” He accused federal authorities of “reviving terrorism” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through secretive decisions imposed on the province.
He emphasized that he was “elected by the people’s votes, not through Form-47,” and would not allow the province’s destiny to be decided “behind closed doors.”
On his recent meeting with the Corps Commander Peshawar, Afridi confirmed it was an informal courtesy visit at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. “I reiterated the same stance before him that I share publicly,” he said firmly. “The offices of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister must be respected. Officers should come to meet elected representatives in their offices — not the other way around, hiding in a car trunk.”
Regarding potential protests in November, Afridi said any decision would be made under party leadership and in consultation with Imran Khan.
