Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi responds to chanting supporters upon his arrival at Karachi airport on Friday. Photo: X
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reiterated his opposition to any form of military operation in the province, saying peace could not be restored through force alone and stressing the need for a joint approach involving the federal government, the K-P government, political parties and security institutions.
Addressing a Meet the Press programme at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, Afridi said his government opposed not only the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but all terrorist organisations, however he said that operation could never bring peace.
He said more than 14 military operations had already been conducted in the province, with reports of 15 more being planned, yet millions had been displaced and promised compensation had not been delivered.
He said K-P had made over 80,000 sacrifices in the war against terrorism and reiterated that PTI consistently opposed the resettlement of militants, a stance he said was on record. Referring to protests following regime change, he said demonstrations had taken place from Bajaur to Shangla amid allegations that terrorists were being resettled in the province.
Afridi said peace in K-P could not be established through military operations alone and added that if the prime minister invited him for talks aimed at ending terrorism, he would attend.
Reiterating his stance against military operations, the chief minister said a peace jirga had been convened in K-P, bringing together people from all schools of thought as well as political and religious parties, all of whom opposed further military action. He said PTI’s objection was that military operations had been launched in the past without consulting elected representatives.
Afridi arrived at the Karachi Press Club in the form of a rally under strict security arrangements, with a heavy police contingent deployed. Traffic congestion was reported on surrounding roads, while PTI workers raised slogans demanding the release of the party’s founder.
At the outset of his address, the chief minister apologised for reaching late, saying the delay was caused by an enthusiastic reception by party workers. He said his visit to Karachi was part of preparations for the street movement, a responsibility entrusted to him by Imran Khan.
He clarified that he was not in contact with anyone regarding dialogue and was solely focused on preparing for a street movement. He said Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had been authorised to handle negotiations, adding that he would take the movement to its peak as directed by PTI founder Imran Khan.
He said the movement had been launched for the release of the PTI founder and his wife and announced that PTI would hold a public gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Karachi, on January 11. He said an application for the rally had been submitted and that the Sindh government had verbally conveyed that the event could be held, though a formal notification had yet to be issued. “InshaAllah, on Sunday we will hold the rally at Jinnah Ground. It will be the largest public gathering in Karachi’s history,” he said.
Responding to questions on dialogue with the government, he said the treatment meted out to PTI and the convoy of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan in Punjab reflected the authorities’ intentions, adding that any offer of talks under such circumstances revealed the true intent behind it. He termed the repression and treatment of PTI parliamentarians in the Punjab Assembly unacceptable and said it had set new precedents.
Afridi said the struggle for what he termed “haqiqi azadi” was not a fight for power but aimed at the supremacy of the Constitution and law, an independent judiciary, restoration of free media, and equal application of the law for the powerful and the weak. He alleged that Imran Khan was being punished and unjustly incarcerated because of this movement.
Commenting on his reception in Sindh, Afridi said he currently saw the legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto prevailing in the province. “We will see whether this continues under Zardari or changes, but for now we are satisfied,” he said.
The chief minister said the people of K-P were satisfied with PTI’s government, noting that the party was ruling the province for the third consecutive term through public mandate. He added that his government had been in office for two months and that full integration of the tribal districts was among its priorities.
Afridi claimed that Rs4,798 billion were owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the federal government and alleged corruption worth Rs100 billion in Punjab, with claims that more than Rs10 trillion had been misappropriated. He said if K-P received its due share under the NFC Award, the province could build dams and generate cheaper electricity. He added that residents holding K-P identity cards were entitled to health cards worth Rs2 million.
Calling on the Karachi Press Club to raise its voice for K-P’s rights, Afridi said the province’s forests could be improved if proper resources were allocated. He added that K-P’s natural resources belonged to its people and that any private company must engage with the provincial government and respect public rights.
Referring to religious matters, the chief minister said the sanctity of Makkah Mukarramah was sacred to all Muslims and that it was not a place for protests or expressions of hatred, stressing that such actions were against Islamic teachings.
He said that when people from Punjab visited K-P, they would be shown how respect was accorded, adding that PTI wanted prosperity for the entire country but K-P had always been treated unfairly. He alleged that those in power lacked authority and were willing to compromise principles to remain in control.
Concluding his address, Afridi said K-P had been consistently denied its NFC share from 2018 to 2025 despite other provinces receiving theirs. He reiterated that democracy was under control in both Sindh and K-P, said terrorism could never bring peace, and maintained that Imran Khan would return as prime minister.
Earlier, after departing the airport, he travelled to Jinnah Ground via Shahrah-e-Faisal under tight security, receiving a rousing welcome at various points along the route.
Due to the rally, one track of Shahrah-e-Faisal was completely blocked, resulting in severe traffic congestion that left commuters stranded for hours.
Upon reaching Jinnah Ground, Afridi, in a video message, invited Karachi residents to attend a public gathering scheduled for Sunday at 4:30pm.
He said the meeting would demonstrate that Karachi had belonged to Imran Khan in the past, belonged to him now and would continue to do so.
During the visit, Afridi will meet party leadership, as well as lawyers, business organisations, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and media representatives in Karachi. At Islamabad Airport, members of the public took selfies with the chief minister, who was accompanied by provincial cabinet members and K-P’s members of the National and Provincial Assemblies.
Meanwhile, fees for holding the public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah have been deposited, though permission remains subject to security clearance. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted pay orders amounting to Rs2.5 million, including Rs2 million as the event fee and Rs500,000 as a security deposit.
PTI Karachi General Secretary Arslan Khalid deposited the fees. While the pay orders have been received, the Mazar-i-Quaid administration said formal permission from the district administration is required before approval can be granted.
The administration said that following clearance from the district administration, the matter would be forwarded to the federal government for final approval, adding that a written permission letter has yet to be issued.
Saeed Ghani welcomes CM Afridi at airport
Earlier, a large number of party workers gathered at the domestic arrivals area of Jinnah International Airport ahead of the chief minister’s arrival to welcome him.
Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection Saeed Ghani received the K-P chief minister at the airport and presented him and accompanying members of his cabinet with traditional Sindhi caps and ajrak.
Afridi thanked Ghani and the Sindh government for the warm reception accorded to him on arrival.
Separately, a scuffle broke out among party workers who had gathered to welcome the chief minister. Witnesses said punches and kicks were exchanged inside the airport premises before members of the public intervened to separate the groups.
Security personnel detained two individuals in connection with the altercation.
Earlier in the day, Afridi left Peshawar earlier in the day, but his flight, PK-201, was diverted from Karachi to Islamabad due to adverse weather conditions. The flight later departed for Karachi at around 12.30pm, according to airport sources.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Afridi said Sindh party leadership had shared the visit schedule and called for participation in planned activities, including a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday.
Read: Afridi set for Karachi leg of street drive
Dozens of supporters had arrived at Karachi Airport awaiting the Chief Minister’s arrival, where additional security had been deployed.
Earlier in Peshawar, Afridi said he was conveying a message from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, and urged supporters to participate in the street movement. He described the rally planned for January 11 at Mazar-e-Quaid as a major public gathering.
Planned itinerary in Sindh
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information Shafi Jan said the visit, undertaken on the party’s direction, was aimed at strengthening the street movement in Sindh.
According to the schedule, Afridi will meet party leaders at Justice House, visit the press club, and hold a meeting with the Sindh chief minister. He is also scheduled to attend a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid and take part in political activities in the South, Malir, and Korangi districts.
Sohail Afridi was expected to visit the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry during his visit to Karachi; however, the federation has addressed a letter to the K-P CM stating that the meeting “has been postponed due to unavoidable/unforeseen circumstances.”
On Saturday, Afridi is scheduled to travel to Hyderabad, where he will address the bar and press club, attend a party convention, and meet local leaders, while also taking part in political activities in Hyderabad and Kotri.
On Sunday, Afridi is expected to meet senior lawyers and traders and take part in political activities in Kemari and the West District, before concluding his visit with the rally at Mazar-e-Quaid and returning to Peshawar on Monday.
Turbulent Lahore visit
Afridi’s Sindh visit follows a visit to Lahore during which he was prevented from addressing supporters at Liberty Chowk after police blocked access routes. He later addressed PTI lawmakers at the Punjab Assembly, where confrontations between members of his entourage and security officials were reported.
Read: Afridi slams Punjab government for blocking PTI activities in Lahore
He was also barred from entering the cantonment area to meet party leaders and from visiting the city’s food street, which had been closed ahead of his arrival. Afridi later went to Zaman Park amid heavy police deployment, while reports emerged of PTI supporters being detained.
On Monday, Afridi lodged a formal complaint with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over the treatment he said he received in Lahore. In the letter, he described the Punjab government’s security measures as “extraordinary and excessive” and said they amounted to intimidation rather than cooperation.
