Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is set to lead a major public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan today, marking his Lahore visit as a high-profile demonstration of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) continued influence in Punjab. The event comes amid claims that PTI’s support in the province has weakened, a notion Afridi strongly rejected.
During his three-day Lahore visit, Afridi has faced significant restrictions from law enforcement. On Friday night, he reached Liberty Roundabout but was unable to deliver a planned address, as police had sealed off access points and deployed pickets to disperse the gathering.
Addressing supporters on the second day of his trip, Sohail Afridi announced the Minar-e-Pakistan rally would begin at 6 PM, describing it as a show of PTI’s mobilisation power in Punjab. He challenged rival political parties to organise a similar event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering logistical support if needed. “They can choose any venue. Let’s see who can gather more people. I will even arrange transport if required,” he said.
Sohail Afridi also visited the families of PTI leaders currently jailed, after being denied entry to Kot Lakhpat jail. He met relatives of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, interacting warmly with Qureshi’s children. He criticised the Punjab government for ignoring formal requests to meet jailed party members, calling their imprisonment “wrongful” and praising their resilience.
Speaking to the media, Afridi accused the Punjab government of political intolerance, pointing to restrictions on his movements and interference with lawful political activity. Addressing the Lahore High Court legal community, he expressed concern over a paralysed justice system, citing ignored court orders and violations of constitutional rights. He reaffirmed PTI’s commitment to judicial independence and warned that street protests could follow under leadership guidance. On direction of Imran Khan, Sohail Afridi Starts Street Movement in Lahore, Gets Big Public Support
While Afridi acknowledged dialogue efforts through the opposition alliance TTAP, he confirmed that preparations for street mobilisation would continue. Police tensions have risen, with thirteen PTI workers arrested for allegedly blocking roads and chanting anti-government slogans. Sohail Afridi is also scheduled to visit additional families of party workers and the home of PTI activist Ali Bilal, with large crowds expected at today’s Minar-e-Pakistan rally.
