Sohail Afridi says only PTI founder can remove him as KP chief minister

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said Tuesday that only PTI founder Imran Khan could remove him from office, adding that he would continue as chief minister until he received instructions from Adiala Jail.

Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Afridi rejected reports of a change in the provincial leadership and said Imran Khan had nominated him for the position.

"The founder of PTI nominated me as chief minister. No force can remove me," he said. "No one can end the KP government except the founder of PTI."

Afridi said all PTI lawmakers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained united under the party's banner and criticised the federal government's economic policies ahead of the upcoming budget.

He said Pakistan's internal and external debt had reached Rs97 trillion, tax collection had fallen short of targets and the country's trade deficit was increasing. He also claimed that industrialists were shifting investments abroad while farmers were facing severe difficulties.

"The entire burden of the budget is going to fall on the people," he said, urging journalists and social media activists to focus on budget-related issues during the month.

Afridi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had approved a balanced budget through its cabinet and was preparing a people-friendly financial plan.

He said the provincial government's priorities included health, education, youth development, agriculture and forests, in line with the vision of the PTI founder. He added that special measures for minority communities were also being included in the budget.

Referring to Imran Khan's incarceration, Afridi said the former prime minister had been kept in isolation unlawfully. He said the purpose of the party leaders' visit was to demand that Khan be shifted to Al-Shifa International Hospital and treated in the presence of his family and personal doctor.

"If they are claiming that the founder is receiving the best treatment, then why is the family not being allowed to meet him?" he asked.

Afridi also alleged that PTI supporters and leaders were stopped on Kashmir Highway and subjected to mistreatment for several hours during a previous attempt to meet Imran Khan.

During the media talk, Aleema Khan interrupted Afridi while he was discussing the provincial budget and questioned the decision to proceed with its passage without consultation with the PTI founder.

"Why are you passing the budget?" Aleema Khan asked. "Ask them to allow me to meet him first."

She said Imran Khan had directed party leaders last year to discuss the budget with him and urged them to seek a meeting with the PTI founder before finalising the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget.