Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned of a nationwide PTI-led sit-in outside the National Assembly on June 10, saying party lawmakers would not allow the federal budget to be passed if what he described as efforts to isolate Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continue.
Speaking to the media before leaving Adiala Road’s Factory checkpost area, Afridi also announced plans to move the Islamabad High Court to seek permission to meet PTI founder Imran Khan regarding the province’s upcoming budget.
The KP chief minister said PTI parliamentarians from across the country would gather outside the National Assembly if attempts to 'push the party against the wall' or politically isolate it were not stopped.
He warned that the protest would coincide with the federal budget process and claimed PTI lawmakers would not allow the budget to be passed. Afridi framed the proposed demonstration as a response to what he called continued restrictions on the party and its leadership.
KP budget to reflect PTI founder’s guidance
Speaking about the provincial budget, Afridi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would prepare its budget in line with the wishes and guidance of the PTI founder.
He said he would file a petition in the Islamabad High Court on the same day to obtain formal approval that would allow him to meet the PTI founder and discuss budget-related matters.
According to Afridi, consultation with the party founder remains essential before finalizing the province’s financial plan.
The chief minister also expressed concern about the PTI founder’s health and access to meetings. He alleged that the Punjab government and jail administration were responsible for difficulties affecting the PTI founder, claiming his eyes were troubled due to the conditions.
Afridi further alleged that meetings were being prevented and that concerns and uncertainty were being spread among the public.
Rumours of forward bloc or leadership change
Addressing political speculation, Afridi firmly dismissed reports suggesting the formation of a forward bloc within PTI or any move to replace him as chief minister. He said only the PTI founder had the authority to remove or replace the chief minister.
“Only the founder of PTI can change the chief minister,” Afridi said, rejecting rumours of internal divisions or leadership changes.
He added that no one else had the courage or authority to remove him from office.
Afridi’s remarks come as political tensions continue to build ahead of the federal and provincial budget announcements.
His warning of a June 10 sit-in and threat to block the federal budget signal a potentially confrontational period in national politics, particularly if PTI’s concerns regarding access to its founder and party affairs remain unresolved.
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