Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has vowed to lead a “peaceful but decisive” long march on Islamabad on Sept 27 to demand the release of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
Addressing a rally at Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk in Battagram, the chief minister criticised the federal government and state institutions over what he described as Imran Khan’s prolonged solitary confinement, inadequate medical treatment and restrictions on meetings with his family and party leaders.
“For the last 10 months, Imran Khan has been kept in solitary confinement,” he said, alleging that attempts were being made to silence the PTI founder.
Mr Afridi said the PTI founder was resisting pressure to abandon his political stance and described his struggle as one for civil supremacy. He said the provincial government and party workers would continue to support him.
The chief minister demanded that authorities provide Imran Khan with proper medical treatment, end his solitary confinement and release him.
He also called on residents of Battagram to participate in large numbers in the Sept 27 long march.
During his visit to Battagram, Mr Afridi announced that Allai tehsil had been granted district status and displayed the relevant notification. The status had previously been announced twice by PTI provincial governments, with local residents now expecting its implementation.
He also announced a Rs2 billion development package for Battagram and said Rs200bn had been allocated under the Khushal Hazara programme, including Rs150bn for development projects and Rs50bn for tourism initiatives.
The chief minister said the Hazara region, including Battagram, had considerable tourism potential and required further investment in infrastructure and facilities.
Later, Mr Afridi led a rally from Battagram to Besham alongside PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar and other party leaders to mobilise support for the Sept 27 protest.
Addressing party workers at Bisham Chowk on the Karakoram Highway, he reiterated that he would lead the long march.
“On 27 Sept, we will hold a peaceful but decisive protest for the release of our leader Imran Khan in accordance with the Constitution and law,” he said.
He claimed that people across the country would participate in the protest and said PTI workers would continue their campaign until Imran Khan was released.
Five PTI workers were injured when vehicles collided in the Shang area during the rally. Rescue 1122 personnel provided first aid before shifting the injured to the tehsil headquarters hospital.
During his visit to Abbottabad, the chief minister inaugurated the 702-kanal Abbottabad Park at Shimla Hill.
The park includes a children’s play area, cricket ground, six walking tracks, separate mosques for men and women, a restaurant and cafeteria, as well as three parking areas with a combined capacity of 250 vehicles.
Officials briefed Mr Afridi that the park featured 30 environmentally friendly baradaris and a 365-metre zip line. Around 13,000 trees have been planted at the site, including 6,000 new saplings, while officials said no trees were cut or damaged during construction.
Addressing a public gathering, the chief minister described the park as a gift from the provincial government to Abbottabad residents.
He reiterated that Rs200bn had been allocated under the Khushal Hazara Programme, with Rs150bn designated for development projects and Rs50bn for tourism promotion across Hazara Division.
Mr Afridi said the region’s natural beauty offered significant potential for attracting domestic and international tourists and stressed the need to improve tourism infrastructure.
He also announced Rs1.4bn for a permanent solution to Abbottabad’s urban flooding problem.
Regarding the District Headquarters Hospital in Abbottabad, he said funds had already been allocated and additional financing would be provided. On the request of local MPA Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, he announced that the hospital project would be included in the provincial government’s flagship programme.
Referring again to the Sept 27 protest, Mr Afridi said Abbottabad residents had previously participated in street demonstrations and would once again turn out in large numbers.
He described Sept 27 as an important date that could influence the country’s future political direction.
