KP Başbakanı Afridi'den İmran Han için 27 Eylül'de İslamabad'a yürüyüş çağrısı

KP CM Afridi vows ‘peaceful yet decisive’ long march for Imran’s release

BATTAGRAM/SHANGLA/ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday visited different parts of the province as part of the PTI’s street movement campaign to mobilise activists for the release of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, and said the party was committed to “peaceful yet decisive” long march on Islamabad on Sept 27. Addressing a rally at the Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk in Battagram, the chief minister lashed out at the federal government and state institutions for keeping Mr Imran in solitary confinement, denying him adequate medical treatment, and barring his family and party leaders from meeting him. “For the last 10 months, Imran Khan has been kept in solitary confinement. We have not been allowed to meet him to ascertain his health condition. The powers that be want to silence him. Their intentions toward him are malicious but the people of this country will resist every inhuman and unjust decision,” he said. Provincial ministers Shafiullah Jan and Meena Khan Afridi, provincial Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Khan Swati, adviser to the CM on Sports and Youth Affairs Taj Mohammad Khan, MNA Nawaz Khan and MPA Zubair Khan were also present on the occasion. Decries PTI leader’s solitary confinement, denial of medical care and family meetings Mr Afridi insisted that every effort was being made to force the PTI founder into submission but he had chosen the path of resilience. He said that Mr Imran was fighting for civil supremacy in the country and would prevail. “We stand firmly with our leader [Imran] and will not compromise on his ideology under any circumstances,” he said. The chief minister said that the PTI founder didn’t want to accumulate wealth or attain power but his ideology was centered on the people’s rights and development. He said that Mr Imran was fully aware of how desperately the people across the country were awaiting his release from the jail. “We will not allow this oppressive system to continue governing the country. Access to proper medical treatment is a fundamental right of every individual. How can we accept that he is being provided medical care inside prison?” Mr Afridi demanded that the government ensure quality medical treatment to Mr Imran, end his solitary confinement and release him immediately. He urged the residents of Battagram to come out in large numbers on Sept 27 and make the long march for Mr Imran’s release a resounding success. During the visit, the chief minister waved a copy of the notification and announced that Allai tehsil of Battagram had been granted the status of a district. The previous two PTI provincial governments and the current government had twice announced district status for Allai tehsil. The people now hope that this notification will be implemented in letter and spirit. The CM announced a development package of Rs2 billion for Battagram. He added that Rs200 billion had been allocated for the Khushal Hazara package, of which Rs150 billion is earmarked for other development projects and Rs50 billion exclusively for tourism projects. He noted that the Hazara region, including Battagram, holds immense tourism potential. Mr Afridi planted a sapling in the Government Degree College, Battagram. Meanwhile, the chief minister led a rally from Battagram to Besham along with PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar and other provincial leaders to mobilise support for the PTI’s Sept 27 long march on Islamabad. He was warmly received by the local leadership and workers on arrival at the Dandai Bridge in Shangla. Addressing a rally at Bisham Chowk on the Karakoram Highway, Mr Afridi said he would lead the long march. “On 27 Sept, we will hold a peaceful but decisive protest for the release of our leader Imran Khan in accordance with the Constitution and law,” he said. The chief minister said the entire country would take to the streets on Sept 27 to demonstrate their power. He said that the people couldn’t be intimidated and they would continue their struggle for their leader’s release. “We are not afraid nor will we step back or abandon our objective. Our leader is waiting for us and our future is waiting for us. We will come out for our leader and will not rest until he is released,” he said. Mr Afridi participated in a rally from Dandai to Bisham Chowk where workers shouted slogans for the release of the PTI founder. Five PTI workers were also injured as cars collided in the Shang area. The Rescue 1122 shifted them to the tehsil headquarters hospital after provision of first aid. Meanwhile, CM Afridi inaugurated the Abbottabad Park spread over 702 kanals at Shimla Hill in Abbottabad city on Saturday. The park also features a dedicated children’s play area, a cricket ground and six walking tracks for visitors. Separate mosques for men and women have been constructed, while a restaurant and cafeteria have also been established. Three parking areas with a combined capacity of 250 vehicles have been provided for visitors. The chief minister was briefed that the newly developed park comprised 30 environmentally friendly baradaris and a 365-metre-long zip line. The facility has around 13,000 trees, including 6,000 newly planted trees, while no trees were felled or damaged during its construction. Addressing a public gathering, the chief minister described the park as a gift to the people of Abbottabad from the provincial government. He also acknowledged the people of Abbottabad for their political support of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The chief minister announced that Rs200 billion had been allocated under the Khushal Hazara Programme, with Rs150 billion earmarked for development projects and Rs50 billion for promoting tourism across Hazara Division. He said Hazara Division was blessed with exceptional natural beauty and had significant potential for attracting tourists from Pakistan and abroad. He stressed the need to further develop tourism infrastructure and facilities in the region. About Abbottabad’s longstanding urban infrastructure problems, Mr Afridi announced that Rs1.4 billion had been allocated for a permanent solution to the city’s urban flooding problem. Regarding DHQ Hospital in Abbottabad, he said funds had already been allocated for the project and that additional funding would also be provided. At the request of local MPA Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, the chief minister announced that the DHQ Hospital project would be included in the provincial government’s flagship programme. Referring to the planned protest on Sept 27, he said the people of Abbottabad had consistently participated in street protests and would once again turn out in large numbers. He said that Sept 27 was an important day that would contribute to changing the course of the country’s political future. Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026