LAHORE: Anger and concern are reportedly growing among citizens and business circles in Punjab over what they describe as repeated attempts by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to create political unrest in the province.
Reports have emerged from several locations in Lahore that petrol station owners and citizens refused to provide fuel to the chief minister. The incidents are being viewed by some as a public reaction to what they consider his controversial political policies rather than merely an administrative issue.
Citizens and political circles said that, as the elected chief executive of a province, Afridi’s primary responsibility was to improve governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and address issues faced by its people, including law and order and economic difficulties. They alleged, however, that he was instead using provincial resources for political activities and travelling to other provinces, particularly Punjab, to fuel political tensions.
Members of Lahore’s business community and residents said the use of state machinery to disrupt the peaceful environment in Punjab for political point-scoring was unacceptable.
They described the reported incidents at petrol stations as a reflection of growing public dissatisfaction with attempts to promote political confrontation, provincial divisions and activities they consider unlawful.
Political analysts said Afridi was attempting to intervene in police operations in other provinces and criticise law-enforcement agencies while portraying his party as being victimised. They maintained that the public was increasingly aware of what they described as the divisive nature of such politics.
The analysts stressed that the country needs unity and stability, adding that efforts by a provincial government to deepen divisions between federating units for political confrontation could further strain relations between the provinces.
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