PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a firm warning against any unconstitutional step in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), urging the federal government to respect the province’s democratic mandate and promote dialogue to counter terrorism.
During a joint press conference in Peshawar, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and PTI KP President Junaid Akbar reaffirmed their full backing for Sohail Afridi, who was nominated by party founder Imran Khan as the next Chief Minister of KP.
Raja strongly rejected accusations that PTI was supporting terrorism, calling them “false, irresponsible, and damaging to national unity.” He said labeling PTI members as traitors was unacceptable and warned that any attempt to impose Governor’s Rule or bypass the Constitution would have “serious and negative consequences.”
He stressed that the nomination of Sohail Afridi was completely legal and democratic, saying, “The party has every right to choose and trust its own member for the Chief Minister’s position.”
PTI KP President Junaid Akbar highlighted the historic nature of Afridi’s nomination, noting that he is the first-ever candidate from FATA to be selected for the top provincial post. “This decision must be respected. Any effort to block it will only deepen the feeling of deprivation among the people of FATA,” Akbar said.
He further warned that interference in KP’s political process would alienate the province’s voters, adding, “The mandate belongs to PTI, and no one has the right to steal it.”
Meanwhile, Asad Qaiser called for a national dialogue to address the ongoing terrorism crisis, emphasizing that peace and cooperation were essential. “We must unite as a nation to find lasting solutions. Meaningful negotiations are the first step towards peace,” he said.
Qaiser also accused the federal government of withholding KP’s rightful share from the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and questioned the lack of transparency in development spending for merged tribal districts. “Where is the Rs1 billion allocated for FATA’s development? The people have the right to know,” he added.
Reiterating PTI’s commitment to democratic principles, Qaiser warned that any attempt to undermine the people’s will or manipulate their mandate would backfire. “If anyone thinks they can snatch our government, they should remember they won’t be able to run it,” he concluded.
