KP CM Sohail Afridi holds rally in Charsadda, vows movement for Imran Khan's release

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday addressed a large, spirited rally in Charsadda — his first major public meeting since taking office — declaring unwavering support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and announcing the start of a movement for his release.

Afridi opened his address by recounting threats and restrictions placed on him, saying he had been warned not to visit Charsadda and Bara and told his life was in danger. “We are not afraid of death. Our lives are also ready for PTI and Imran Khan,” he told the crowd, adding that he would not accept decisions made behind closed doors without involving the party and its supporters.

Reaffirming his loyalty to the party’s founding vision, Afridi said every step he takes as Chief Minister “will be in accordance with the vision of the founder of PTI.” He emphasized his commitment to a calmer security approach in the province: “As soon as I became the Chief Minister, I said that there will be no military operations and no drone attacks in the province.”

Afridi framed the Charsadda rally as a symbolic and political milestone. “As the Chief Minister, I am holding my first rally in a district from which the PTI has eliminated a political party. Today’s rally proves that the people of Pakhtunkhwa are with the founder of PTI,” he declared, asserting that public backing had validated his leadership after critics questioned his acceptance when he was nominated for the chief ministership.

The chief minister also described attempts to tarnish his reputation. “People tried to make me a terrorist by holding press conferences,” he said, recounting efforts to prevent him from meeting Imran Khan in custody. Afridi said he had sought the Islamabad High Court’s intervention to secure that meeting; though the court ordered access, he alleged the order was not implemented and he was ultimately denied the meeting.

“When all the roads were blocked, I was forced to come to the people,” Afridi said, explaining why he had taken his message directly to the public. He announced the launch of a movement from Charsadda district aimed at securing the PTI founder’s release and promised to mobilize supporters across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and nationwide. “PTI will bring revolution in the whole of Pakistan including Pakhtunkhwa. We will take to the streets to release our leader,” he vowed.

Afridi closed his address by pledging to pursue accountability for what he described as injustices against party workers: “We will bring to justice those who oppress and oppress the workers.”

The large turnout in Charsadda and Afridi’s defiant, public vow to press for Imran Khan’s release signal an assertive new phase for PTI’s political activity in the province, with the chief minister positioning himself as both a provincial leader and an active campaigner for his party’s central cause.