Past election manipulators won’t succeed in by-elections: Soahil Afridi

ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi has warned that those who allegedly tampered with election results in the past will not be able to influence the upcoming Haripur by-election on 23 November.

 He said the public would soon witness “something significant” in Pakistan’s political landscape.

Addressing a public gathering at Chamba Diwar Stop in Havelian on Wednesday afternoon, Afridi said, “When state institutions fail to perform their duties, governance collapses, justice becomes inaccessible, and democracy is strangled.”

He said that despite fulfilling all legal requirements as an elected chief minister, he was still denied a meeting with his party leader Imran Khan, leaving him with “only one path” to pursue.

Afridi praised PTI founder Imran Khan and his family for their “immense sacrifices” for the country. “We want to send a clear message to the powerful: if pushed against the wall, we are Imran Khan’s lions — we will strike back,” he said.

The event was also addressed by PTI central leader Senator Faisal Javed, PTI KP President Junaid Akbar, former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon, senior politician Yousuf Ayub Khan, former MNA Uzma Riaz, and former MPA Momina Basit. A large number of PTI members from the Women’s Wing, Lawyers’ Wing, and ISF, along with provincial leaders including Ali Khan Jadoon, Arshad Ayub Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, Nazir Abbasi, and Akbar Ayub Khan, were present.

PTI leader Junaid Akbar said the party wants a political fight, not confrontation, but criticised the federal and Punjab governments over alleged blockage of wheat supplies from Punjab. He warned that if matters cannot be resolved peacefully, they would be addressed firmly.

He praised Omar Ayub for his services to the party and urged supporters to avenge the “disrespect” of Haripur voters on November 23, predicting a decisive victory. He assured the public that the PTI would secure development projects for the region and “leave no shortcomings” in serving the people.

Meanwhile, the district administration has announced a three-day local holiday on November 22, 23 and 24 due to the by-election in NA-18, Mansehra.

According to the notification, all government and private schools will remain closed during this period to avoid any untoward incidents amid election activities.

The by-election in the constituency is scheduled for November 23.