{
  "id": 8048023,
  "title": "Ready to quit politics if PML-N can stage bigger power show than PTI: CM Afridi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ready-to-quit-politics-if-pml-n-can-stage-bigger-power-show-than-pti",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T09:46:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629880/ready-to-quit-politics-if-pml-n-can-stage-bigger-power-show-than-pti-cm-afridi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has extended an open challenge to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to hold a public rally in Punjab, inviting the party to compare its turnout with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally. Afridi stated that the PML-N could hold the rally in any city of Punjab, choosing the day, date, and time, while PTI would select a different city. The chief minister proposed that both parties should be given a \"complete and level playing field\" to ensure fairness. Afridi said that if the PML-N's rally garnered more public participation, he would consider quitting politics. Conversely, if the PTI rally attracted a larger crowd, Afridi believes the PML-N would need to answer questions regarding its public mandate, treatment of political workers, governance, and performance. Afridi also emphasized that if the PML-N loses the proposed contest, the party would have to apologize to the people and reconsider its political strategy and leadership. The chief minister argued that the biggest political test for the PML-N is the performance of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Afridi called for the parties to step into the field and let the power of the people decide, referencing the February 8 general elections where PTI secured a two-thirds majority.",
  "summary": "Sohail Afridi says level-playing field would allow public participation to determine parties’ popularity",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}