Will announce future course if denied meeting with Imran Khan: Sohail Afridi

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that if he was not allowed to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, he will announce his future course of action.

Speaking in the provincial assembly, Afridi said that he would only meet with interior ministry high-ups after a meeting with Imran Khan.

“A lion’s one day of rule is better than a jackal’s hundred years,” he said, adding that he would serve the province according to the will of its people and never let their heads bow in shame.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s agenda did not focus on law and order and lauded Muzzamil Aslam for defending the province’s case.

Afridi alleged that the Punjab government had halted wheat supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the issue was raised at the meeting chaired by the prime minister.

“Our stance on Afghan refugees is clear,” he said. “Those who have been here for 40 or 45 years should be sent back respectfully. Their repatriation is a national policy, and we will implement it.”

Afridi said the federal government had accepted the province’s proposals, and an overnight notification was issued to close Afghan refugee camps.

“The prime minister has directed the interior ministry to coordinate with the provincial government, but we will engage only after meeting our founder chairman,” he said, urging the opposition to support the provincial government in securing the province’s rights.

He claimed that the federal government owed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs500 billion and that the vehicles provided to the province were outdated.

“We will return those vehicles,” he said, welcoming the Doha and Istanbul talks but expressing reservations about them.

“The PTI received votes in KP based on performance. Law and order issues in the province are the result of closed-door decisions, which we will not accept.”

Afridi announced a medical college and university for the merged tribal districts, instructed that no false FIRs be registered, and said no political worker would be arrested under 3-MPO.

He said that no student would face legal action, women’s police stations were being set up, and there would be zero tolerance for corruption.

He further said that a transparent transfer policy was being formulated, new initiatives under the Ehsaas programme would continue, and the Billion Tree Tsunami project would be relaunched. “This time, the change will be visible in real terms,” he said.

Afridi lamented that after his nomination as chief minister, “baseless allegations” were made to undermine him.

“It is being said that there will be a confrontation with the institutions and the federation. When I talk about meeting my leader or following the Constitution, is that confrontation?” he questioned.

He said his cabinet formation had been delayed because he was not being allowed to meet his leader.

“If I am stopped from meeting my leader, I will present my case to the people of Charsadda, Khyber and Karak, and announce my future strategy,” Afridi warned.

The KP Assembly session was later adjourned till 2 pm tomorrow.