PESHAWAR: In a decisive move that highlights deepening political tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the opposition parties have unanimously declared a boycott of the upcoming provincial assembly session scheduled to take place at the Imran Khan Stadium.
The announcement followed a high-stakes consultative meeting of opposition parliamentary leaders, presided over by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Ibadullah Khan.
Addressing the media, Dr Ibadullah Khan slammed the provincial government’s decision to move the session from the established Assembly Building to an outdoor stadium, characterising the move as a flagrant misuse of public funds and an unnecessary drain on the provincial exchequer. He argued that the assembly floor remains the only legitimate venue for resolving public grievances, whereas the stadium setting serves merely as a platform for political theatre and personal glorification.
The opposition leader expressed particular concern over the scale of the arrangements made for the Chief Minister’s address, claiming the massive mobilisation of resources is designed for publicity rather than governance. He pointed out the irony of holding such an expansive gathering during a smart lockdown, suggesting that the event undermines official health protocols and raises serious doubts about the government’s commitment to public safety.
Financial and security concerns were also central to the opposition’s critique. Dr Ibadullah Khan noted that the province is currently grappling with a staggering debt of Rs 900 billion, making the expenditure on such a “show” indefensible. Furthermore, he warned that the deployment of thousands of police officers for the event would divert critical security resources and put undue pressure on law enforcement agencies already tasked with maintaining order in the province.
Alleging that government machinery is being illegally co-opted to praise “Prisoner 804,” the opposition leader revealed plans to challenge the misuse of public resources in court. Dr Ibadullah Khan concluded by urging the PTI-led administration to redirect taxpayer money toward genuine public welfare projects instead of investing in political propaganda and optics.
