KP govt being pressured to back policies it opposes: CM Afridi

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday said PTI founder Imran Khan was the only leader who could pull the country out of the present quagmire and restore the dignity and standing of state institutions.
Addressing participants of the long march at Jail Chowk in Karak and later in Lachi tehsil of Kohat, the chief minister paid tribute to the people of Karak and the southern districts for according a warm reception to the march.
He said people should understand that terrorism imposed on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the result of a deliberate plan. “Once again, Pashtun blood is being shed. People are being displaced, businesses are being destroyed, military operations and drone strikes are taking place, and innocent civilians, police personnel and soldiers are losing their lives,” he said.
Referring to criticism on television, Mr Afridi said a representative of the establishment had labelled him “immature” on national television for standing with his people. “If standing with my people is considered immaturity, then I will continue to do so without hesitation. If loving my country is considered immaturity, I will embrace that charge again and again,” he said.
He said misguided policies were deepening divisions, and alleged that corruption amounting to Rs5.3 trillion had taken place under the federal government and reported by the IMF. “If this is what is being presented as wisdom and patriotism, then I reject such wisdom,” he said.
He said those imposed on the country were pursuing policies that were driving the country towards division and fuelling prejudice, adding that the situation was slipping beyond their control and that even resettled terrorists were no longer under their control.
He said the KP government was being pressured to become complicit in policies it did not support. “I am Imran Khan’s player. I have said ‘Absolutely Not’ to the powerful, and I will continue to stand by that position,” he said.
Mr Afridi alleged that a mindset imposed on the country was treating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a stepchild and attempting to isolate the province. Referring to decisions taken behind closed doors, he said a political party had been imposed on the country whose chief minister had stated that she faced no threat from India but regarded the other three provinces as a threat. “As long as we are alive, and as long as our generations are alive, we will never allow this to happen,” he said.
He said Imran Khan was the only leader who commanded a nationwide following. “Imran Khan is the heartbeat of our people, and 90 per cent of the people want him,” he said, adding that he was enduring imprisonment with courage and had refused to compromise for power.
He also paid tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of Pakistan, saying their sacrifices were part of the nation’s collective struggle.
He said he was witnessing growing public rejection of the existing system, with people from Khyber to Karachi seeking to reach Islamabad, and that national policies must be guided by public interest.
He alleged that after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, courts awaited instructions before taking decisions, while Imran Khan continued to await his people. “The choice is yours: whether to accept subjugation or stand for real freedom; whether to bow before the powerful or stand up for your rights,” he said.
The chief minister called upon people from across Pakistan to reach Swabi, where he said the future course of action would be announced.
Later in Kohat, he said the people of Kohat would demonstrate their strength and announced that the march towards Peshawar would set off from University Chowk at 3pm today (Monday).
“I am a soldier of Imran Khan. The combined strength of the entire world cannot put a price on me, nor can it intimidate me,” he said, urging participants to conserve their energy as the struggle was long.
“We must not exhaust ourselves. Our struggle is a long one. From Oct 8, the T20 match begins,” he said, adding: “The message must go out clearly: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to Imran Khan, has belonged to Imran Khan, and will remain with Imran Khan.”