Street Protests Were Not Officially Called, CM Sohail Afridi

As the political deadlock in Islamabad enters its sixth day, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi clarified on Monday and Tuesday that the ongoing street protests and road blockades by PTI workers were unauthorized by the party’s central leadership.

Afridi’s statement is seen as an attempt to distance the provincial government from the administrative chaos in KP, while maintaining pressure on the federal government through a “civilized” parliamentary sit-in.

Key Clarifications from the Chief Minister

• Self-Mobilization: CM Afridi stated that workers took to the streets “of their own accord” out of emotional distress over Imran Khan’s health. He emphasized that the official strategy was limited to a parliamentary protest.
• Apology to the Public: In a rare move, the CM apologized to the residents of KP for the three days of road closures, asking for “a little more patience” as the party navigates a “difficult phase.”
• Discipline vs. Mob: He asserted that PTI is a disciplined party with a clear chain of command and warned that any disruptive elements creating chaos would be the responsibility of the government’s own infiltrators.
• The “Real” Call: Afridi warned that if an official protest call were ever given by Imran Khan, “no force will be able to stop it,” framing the current unrest as merely a spontaneous reaction.

The Sit-in at Parliament House (Day 5 & 6)

While the streets of KP are being cleared following the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order, the core protest by the TTAP (Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan) continues in the federal capital.

Current Demands of the Alliance:

1. Independent Access: Immediate meeting of Imran Khan with his personal physician, Dr. Aasim Yusuf, and his sisters.
2. Hospital Transfer: Shifting the former PM to Shifa International Hospital for specialist retinal care.
3. Transparency: Rejection of the “malicious” government medical report issued on Sunday without family consultation.

Internal PTI Friction: Family vs. Political Committee

Amidst the external protests, reports from “consultative meetings” on Tuesday suggest a brewing internal debate within the PTI.

• Leadership Confusion: Some members have expressed concern over who is steering the party’s strategy—Imran Khan’s sisters (Aleema Khan) or the formal Political Committee.
• Social Media Rumors: Lawmakers discussed the “propaganda campaign” on social media that has questioned the party’s decision-making process during this health crisis.

Islamabad on High Alert

Despite the CM’s claim of a “peaceful” protest, the capital remains heavily guarded.

• Container Blockades: While routes to Parliament are being managed, heavy security remains at D-Chowk and the Red Zone.
• KP House: CM Afridi and several KP lawmakers continue to use the KP House in Islamabad as a base of operations after being prevented from joining the main sit-in at the Parliament gate earlier this week.

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