Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Announces Major Rally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi on April 9

Islamabad: The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Soheil Afridi, has announced that a major political rally will be held at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, on April 9. Speaking at a press conference, Afridi stated that lawyers will seek the necessary NOC for the event, and if authorities attempt to block it, the rally will proceed regardless, accompanied by protest actions.

Afridi criticized the federal government and PTI’s stance on policies he believes are against public interest, including a proposed “smart lockdown,” which he opposed. He also expressed frustration over being excluded from meetings with PTI leadership, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, despite attending government meetings in good faith.

Highlighting his record of patriotism, Afridi recalled attending military funerals even while facing allegations calling him a “terrorist and smuggler.” He criticized the government for failing to participate in the funerals of martyrs from May 9 and November 26 incidents and for withholding the bodies in some cases.

Afridi emphasized that PTI has never been involved in scandals such as Memo Gate, Dawn Leaks, or attacks on the judiciary, and accused current authorities of misusing state institutions to protect the “fake government” while treating PTI leaders and himself as second-class citizens. He added that prior negotiations failed to secure meetings with Imran Khan, reinforcing his decision to proceed with the April 9 rally.