Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, issued an apology to the people of KP on Monday following protests by PTI activists that have brought the province almost to a standstill. The unrest began on Friday with sit-ins led by opposition parliamentarians and Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan leaders in Islamabad over Imran Khan’s health.
The protests are part of broader demonstrations across KP, where party workers have taken to the streets voluntarily. These activists have blocked entry and exit points into the province, creating significant inconveniences for residents and isolating KP from the rest of the country.
Afridi’s statement comes against this backdrop, distancing the provincial government from any official mandate for these protests. He emphasized that no “official call” had been issued to party workers; instead, they responded out of their own accord, inspired by a peaceful sit-in planned for parliamentarians in Islamabad. However, some elements were obstructed along the way.
In his apology, Afridi acknowledged that KP’s roads are currently shut down and apologized to its residents. He noted that PTI is currently facing significant challenges: its leader has been imprisoned, and Imran Khan himself is battling health issues. Despite these difficulties, he urged KP’s people to remain patient, reminding them of their previous support for the party.
Afridi’s message is a stark reminder of the current volatile situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where emotions are running high but also calls for calm and understanding from both leaders and citizens.