KP CM Afridi meets NA, Senate opposition leaders to discuss Sept 27 protest

On Saturday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi met with opposition leaders from the National Assembly and Senate to discuss the upcoming PTI protest scheduled for September 27. The PTI has called for a nationwide protest, including a "long march" to Islamabad, in order to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and to rally support for the Constitution.

The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, led by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, expressed support for the protest during their meeting with Afridi.

The TTAP alliance's spokesperson, Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, reported that detailed political consultations were held during the meeting to discuss the call for the September 27 protest and the future course of action. The politicians focused on advancing the democratic struggle in an effective manner, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Constitution, democratic rights, provincial rights, and the public mandate.

On Thursday, the KP CM and TTAP opposition leaders had met earlier to discuss plans for the protest. In response to a petition questioning the PTI gatherings, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruled that any action infringing upon citizens' fundamental rights would be considered unconstitutional. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Friday that the government would take all necessary measures to prevent protesters from marching towards the federal capital.

The IHC ruling prompted the administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to prepare for counter-protests, including detaining activists, arranging containers, securing additional personnel, and procuring anti-riot gear.

The KP CM also traveled to Sindh and Punjab to rally supporters for the protest. During his visit to Punjab, Afridi claimed to have been "abducted" by authorities in Lahore and later "thrown" to the ground. He further alleged that someone had been sent to kill him. However, the Punjab government swiftly denied these claims, stating that the individual mentioned by Afridi was merely a police constable performing security duties for the KP CM.