PESHAWAR – Khyber Chief Minister Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on Saturday reaffirmed that the provincial government will stand firm in defending constitutional rights and the public mandate, declaring that any attempt to impose Governor’s Rule or an emergency and undermine the people’s mandate would prompt a public mobilisation towards Peshawar.
He stated that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had entrusted their mandate to Imran Khan, and that his policies would guide the province.
The CM made these remarks while addressing participants of the Long March before departing from Charsadda, and subsequently at Chamtar Adda and Minga Bazaar in Mardan on the seventh day of the march.
He said the struggle was not motivated by personal ambition or the pursuit of power, but by the defence of constitutional rights, the people’s right to govern themselves, and their political mandate.He maintained that intimidation and coercive tactics would not deter the movement, as the struggle had moved beyond questions of office and authority.
He said he was prepared to sacrifice not only his position but also his life for Imran Khan and the people of Pakhtunkhwa. He added that his worth could not be measured by a political office and that no amount of wealth could buy him.
Paying tribute to the people of Charsadda for their enthusiasm and resolve, the Chief Minister said the struggle to dismantle an oppressive system would continue with the same determination. He announced that people from across the country would begin travelling towards Swabi on 11 October under the leadership of their respective parliamentarians, while the next course of action would be announced at Swabi on 13 October.Addressing those issuing threats of Governor’s Rule, he said they must recognise that the matter had moved beyond political office or the retention of power. He urged the people and party workers to remain steadfast, stay focused on their objective, and sustain their commitment to the movement.
The Chief Minister said that life and death, honour and humiliation, and sustenance were in the hands of Allah Almighty, and that there was no need to fear anyone else. He stressed that the people of Pakhtunkhwa would not compromise on their dignity, honour, constitutional rights or political mandate. Decisions affecting the province’s future, he said, could not be imposed by disregarding the will and constitutional rights of its people.Referring to the province’s sacrifices in the pursuit of peace, the Chief Minister said that the people, police and other personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had made enormous sacrifices, with 80,000 people having lost their lives in this struggle. He regretted that the peace restored through such immense sacrifices had been undermined by decisions taken behind closed doors.
He reiterated that the provincial government would not accept policies directed against its people or tolerate an oppressive system. The dignity, rights and honour of the people of Pakhtunkhwa, he said, would be protected under all circumstances.
Addressing participants at Chamtar Adda in Mardan, the Chief Minister said the unprecedented enthusiasm of the people had left political opponents apprehensive. He maintained that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was currently the only province in Pakistan governed on the basis of a public mandate, while other governments had been imposed on the people.
He warned that any attempt to undermine the province’s democratic mandate through Governor’s Rule or an emergency would prompt people to mobilise towards Peshawar instead of Swabi. He said neither firearms nor the threat of force could intimidate the people, who would continue their struggle for their rights peacefully and with unwavering resolve.
The Chief Minister cautioned against the assumption that detaining or pressuring parliamentarians would prevent the public from coming out in support of the movement. He said people would mobilise independently as well and would raise their voices for their rights under all circumstances.
Earlier, addressing participants at Manga Bazaar in Mardan, the Chief Minister thanked the people of Mardan for their enthusiastic welcome and participation in the Long March. Referring to the public response, he remarked that Section 804 appeared to be in force throughout Mardan.
He called on people from across Pakistan to reach Swabi on 11 October and assured them that the provincial government would welcome participants and facilitate their stay. He said those who supported Imran Khan would reach Swabi under all circumstances, whether travelling by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot.
The CM expressed confidence that the scale of public participation would be such that no one would dare resort to the use of force. He said oppressive tactics would not force the movement to retreat and that the plan to be announced at Swabi would surprise political opponents. He nevertheless urged all participants to maintain complete peace and discipline, cautioning against attempts to provoke unrest or create an opportunity for disruptive activities. He emphasised that the movement must remain within the bounds of the Constitution and the law.
CM Sohail Afridi reiterated that the long march was aimed at protecting constitutional rights, the public mandate and the people’s political affiliation with their leader, Imran Khan. He called upon party workers and the public to remain peaceful, disciplined and focused on their objectives, and not to become part of any provocation or conspiracy. He said public unity, resolve and steadfastness remained the movement’s greatest strengths and urged participants to continue their struggle with determination and a firm commitment to peaceful political action.
