PESHAWAR: Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan has said that, on the directions of PTI founder Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi will visit Sindh on Friday along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers to further strengthen the party’s street movement.
In a statement, Shafi Jan said that during the Sindh visit, the chief minister will meet PTI leaders and workers currently in jail, lawyers, journalists, and representatives of civil society. He added that the chief minister will also address the Sindh Bar Association. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also hold a formal meeting with the Chief Minister of Sindh as part of the visit.
The advisor said that incarcerating PTI founder Imran Khan, party leaders and workers in what he termed “fake, baseless and politically motivated cases” was a failed attempt to suppress the PTI, which would be resisted at every constitutional, legal, and democratic forum.
He said the street movement was continuing with full force under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, while party workers were being organised, mobilised and prepared for a peaceful political struggle.
Comparing the political environment in different provinces, Shafi Jan said that, unlike what he described as the undemocratic and authoritarian conduct of the Punjab government, statements by Sindh government ministers had been positive. He said that visiting any part of the country was the political and democratic right of an elected chief minister, which could not be denied under any circumstances.
He reiterated that voices would continue to be raised at every constitutional, legal and democratic forum for the release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders and workers.
Strongly condemning the Punjab government’s actions, Shafi Jan expressed regret over the reported use of water cannon against women sitting outside Adiala Jail. He termed the incident condemnable and shameful, alleging that the Punjab government had even forgotten respect for women in the pursuit of political vendetta.
He said that Imran Khan’s sisters were only demanding a meeting with their brother in accordance with court orders, but despite this, excessive force was being used. “PTI will not be intimidated by such tactics,” he said, adding that a government imposed by force could not understand the importance of democratic values and the public mandate.
