CM Afridi announces launch of street movement from Bannu

Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi declared the inception of a street movement from Bannu on Sunday, asserting that a “sea of people” would convene in the district on September 27 to march towards Adiala Jail under his guidance. Speaking at a reception organized by MNA Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, PTI district president Haji Malik Gulbaz Khan, MPA Malik Pakhtunyar Khan, Junaid Rashid, Iqbal Jadoon, Malik Adnan Khan, and Sikandar Hayat Khan, Afridi vowed to persist in the sit-in until his demands were met and tangible outcomes were realized.

He recalled that past movements originating from Bannu had historically achieved success, thus initiating the current campaign from the district. Afridi emphasized that the youth would shape both the history and destiny of Pakistan, stating that Imran Khan and PTI had firmly established themselves among the younger populace. He cautioned those attempting to frustrate their efforts, asserting that such actions were misguided.

Afridi noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced peace and prosperity when PTI governed the federal government in 2018 but noted a decline in conditions following the "regime change" in 2022. He alleged that the current federal administration, along with those who brought them to power, had intentionally driven the province towards terrorism.

Afridi stated that the first significant impact of terrorism under the current federal government was felt in the southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, particularly in Bannu. He blamed the incumbent federal rulers and their supporters for the region's decline in peace. Afridi asserted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had endured continuous experiments over the past 22 years, negatively impacting its economy and law and order.

He noted that decisions were being made in secrecy, with the provincial people cast as scapegoats. Afridi claimed that the elite viewed ordinary citizens as insignificant but maintained that the situation had shifted, as the province was now governed by a worker-led administration that would firmly oppose decisions detrimental to the people.

He emphasized that the provincial government would reject any decisions contrary to the interests of the people and vowed to use every constitutional and democratic means to secure their rights. Regarding the closure of roads in Bannu, Afridi maintained that roads were intended to facilitate movement, transportation, and commerce, not to protect any institution.

He declared that if roads had been closed by security forces, he would personally address the corps commander; however, if the closures were ordered by the civil administration, he would ensure their reopening before his arrival in Peshawar. Afridi reiterated that the movement, backed by the youth and populace, would persist until its objectives were realized, proclaiming that a substantial number of individuals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would participate in the march towards Adiala Jail on September 27.