PTI long march peaceful, within constitutional framework: Shafi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan on Tuesday said the reception accorded to Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in Kohat demonstrated public support for his government and its political position.
In a statement, Mr Jan said the chief minister had directly presented his position, demands and objectives behind the ongoing long march before the people during his address in Kohat.
He claimed that the provincial government represented the “Form-45 mandate” and said it had been formed through the votes of the people. He added that any attempt to undermine the government would be resisted through constitutional and democratic means.
According to Mr Jan, the chief minister’s demands included a meeting with PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, access to treatment by his personal physicians, justice for Bushra Bibi and other members of the family, decisions in cases strictly on merit, and a comprehensive strategy for restoring peace in the province through consultation with relevant stakeholders.
He said Mr Afridi had invited all stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the provincial assembly to discuss the issue of peace. Following the consultations, he added, a 13-point peace plan had been prepared with the signatures of the opposition leader and other opposition leaders and forwarded to the relevant stakeholders.
Mr Jan said the initiative was aimed at bringing political and other stakeholders together to formulate a joint strategy for sustainable peace through consultation and consensus.
Responding to PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s reported remarks that removing Mr Afridi would not be difficult, the minister said: “Rana Sanaullah Sahib, it is not that easy to sideline Sohail Afridi. You should worry about yourself.”
He said the long march under the chief minister’s leadership was peaceful and being held within the constitutional framework.
Mr Jan said the large participation in the Kohat gathering showed that Mr Afridi had put his position before the public and that people had listened to him directly.
He added that footage of the Kohat gathering and the chief minister’s full address was available on social media platforms.