Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday announced that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), would stage a protest sit-in outside Parliament House on June 10. This move aims to increase political pressure on the ruling alliance during the federal budget session. The federal government is scheduled to present the budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in both houses of Parliament on the same day.
Press Conference Details
Speaking at a press conference alongside Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam, Afridi stated that all PTI MNAs and MPAs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would participate in the large gathering. He described the demonstration as a protest against what he termed an "anti-poor, IMF-dictated, and pro-rich" budget and to ensure the rights of jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Internal Party Criticism
Afridi criticized his party's Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram for allegedly undermining his June 10 protest call. The CM asserted he was independent enough to make decisions regarding the elected government of KP. He warned that Akram should participate in the protest if he could but should not become a "tool" in someone else's hands.
A day earlier, the PTI information secretary had stated in a TV program that no official decision had been conveyed to hold a protest sit-in outside Parliament on budget day. He took a jibe at Afridi, saying that "some friends had been making such announcements in the past" that were later denied by the party. He added that PTI's chief whip, parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, party chairman, and secretary general had not conveyed any such plan.
Forward Bloc Denial
Ruling out the possibility of a forward bloc of PTI MPAs within the KP Assembly, Afridi said all members stood by party chief Khan's decision to nominate him as chief minister. Anyone who did not think so had no place within PTI. "Neither I am afraid of a forward bloc nor blackmailing," he said.
Criticism of Federal Government
Afridi sharply criticized the federal government's economic policies, alleging "step-motherly treatment" to KP. He stated that the protest would oppose the federal budget and demand fair treatment for the province. He emphasized that the province's rightful share of resources, particularly for areas affected by militancy, must be guaranteed.
Petition in Islamabad High Court
The chief minister confirmed he had filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking judicial intervention to facilitate a meeting with incarcerated ex-premier Khan. He said consultations with the PTI founder were necessary for deliberations on the forthcoming provincial budget and other administrative matters. Afridi expressed hope that the IHC would order the removal of what he described as "illegal restrictions" on meetings with Khan.
Security Concerns
Afridi voiced concerns over the deteriorating security situation in KP, asserting that incidents of terrorism had risen while accusing the federal government of unfair treatment in counterterrorism and development allocations.
Finance Adviser's Remarks
Muzzammil Aslam said that Khan had previously directed that he be consulted prior to the preparation of every budget. Due to a ban on meetings with the jailed politician, Khan had not yet been consulted on the forthcoming budget, stressing that his approval was essential for policy continuity.
MPAs' Demand
On the other hand, some PTI MPAs have demanded that the KP Assembly should not approve the budget for the next fiscal year as a protest if the federal government does not lift an unofficial ban on meetings with the party chief.
Legal Petition Details
KP CM Sohail Afridi approached the IHC seeking permission to meet PTI founder Imran Khan. The petition was filed through a special power of attorney by the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the federal and Punjab interior secretaries, the Punjab Inspector General of Police, and the Superintendent of Adiala Jail as respondents. Filed through Advocate Syed Ali Bukhari, the petition prayed that the KP chief minister be allowed to meet the PTI founder ahead of the provincial budget. It argued that consultation with Imran Khan is essential for cabinet deliberations and governance matters, as he remains the guiding figure of the party. The petition further stated that prior requests for a meeting have already been submitted to the Interior Ministry and Punjab Home Department, and that it is legally and morally necessary to seek guidance from the party’s patron-in-chief on sensitive governance and cabinet formation issues.
CM's Statements at IHC
Talking to journalists at the IHC alongside KP Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam, Afridi said a meeting with the PTI founder was essential as the provincial budget had been prepared and required his final approval. He maintained that the people of KP had given their mandate to the PTI founder, adding that consultation with him on the budget was necessary. He also said the province was being deprived of its due share of resources and alleged that KP was being punished for supporting the PTI founder. He criticised the federal government’s development allocations, asserting that the province had been ignored in the previous federal budget and development programme. Afridi also expressed concern over the country’s economic situation, saying priority should be given to the economy and the welfare of poor citizens. He alleged that terrorism had seen a rise in KP and accused the federal government of treating the province unfairly. He announced that PTI would stage a protest outside Parliament during the budget session on June 10 and reiterated that, as chief minister, he was authorised to make decisions on behalf of the provincial government.
Aslam's Remarks on Consultations
Aslam told reporters that in the last meeting with the PTI founder last year, he had consulted him on budget matters. Aslam said the PTI founder had instructed that he be consulted before every budget is prepared. However, no meeting had taken place before the current budget exercise despite the importance of such consultations. He said KP had received only a small allocation from the federal government’s development programme and claimed that only six provincial projects had been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
