By: Kashifuddin Syed
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi has sent a formal letter of protest to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding inappropriate behaviour during his recent visit to Lahore.
In his letter, Chief Minister Afridi stated that the way matters were handled during his visit was not negligence but a deliberate act. He emphasised that what transpired was neither an administrative error nor accidental; instead, it represented a tarnishing of constitutional honour and inter-provincial respect.
Afridi expressed that he visited Lahore as a representative of 40 million people, yet the treatment he received was unworthy of a public official. He pointed out that residents of Lahore were inconvenienced due to the closure of markets and public places, and even the motorway rest area was shut down.
In the letter, he noted that a campaign was launched on social media against his visit, linking it to drug smuggling, and this was all executed under the supervision of the Punjab government. He accused them of attempting to undermine his reputation through such tactics, a behaviour he viewed as intolerable.
Additionally, Afridi remarked that the administrative methods employed aimed to ridicule him and foster discord between the provinces.
Through his letter, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed his strong protest against these tactics and methods, hoping they will be addressed and avoided in the future. He concluded by stating that this letter should be considered a formal protest and recorded for any potential constitutional, legal, or inter-provincial actions in the future.
Azma Bukhari Says Punjab government exercised restraint during CM Afridi’s visit
In response to statements made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and his ministers, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari remarked that the Punjab government had displayed patience, while accusing them of being ill-mannered.
She highlighted the approach they adopted while addressing the Punjab Assembly, asserting that despite their behaviour, they received a warm welcome throughout the city.
Bukhari advised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to focus on the needs of the people in his province. She criticised their actions during the Lahore visit as attempts to gain cheap publicity and score political points.
