Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday alleged he was “abducted” by Lahore police and left without security by the roadside to denials by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who dubbed the incident a “drama.”
Speaking with media while moving through the Punjab capital, where he is seeking to mobilize support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Sept. 27 long march, Afridi alleged he was “abducted” and then “thrown” by the roadside under “pressure” from somewhere. He further alleged a “conspiracy” to abduct him, claiming “they” want to “divide” the country.
Video footage of the incident, however, shows the KP chief minister boarding a police van and refusing to exit until the release of some detained party workers. According to Bokhari, police then drove the vehicle a short distance away to avoid gathering crowds due to security concerns, after which Afridi left the vehicle and sat by the roadside himself.
The Punjab minister further noted that the PTI has itself shared videos from inside the police van, questioning what kind of “abduction” has nonstop coverage. The videos in question show Afridi and some PTI supporters alleging “abduction” to passersby, who can be seen nodding before moving on.
Bokhari also questioned the PTI’s assertion that Afridi was left without security, noting his guards and a cameraman were within him throughout. “This is a total drama because people did not come out from Lahore and Punjab,” she told a private TV channel.
The chief minister, subsequently, continued his mobilization campaign, moving through Mall Road and surrounding areas, with small crowds accompanying him.
KP Information Minister Shafi Jan, meanwhile, alleged in a statement that Punjab Police had “attempted” to abduct the chief minister by “forcibly” moving him into another vehicle. He also alleged that Afridi was taken to a “remote” area, though footage shared by the PTI shows him sitting by the roadside on a busy Lahore street with motorists driving by.
Jan accused the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) government of “high-handedness,” adding such treatment for a chief minister was unconstitutional and undemocratic. He reiterated Afridi’s claims of the incident sowing discord between KP and Punjab.
Separately, the PTI issued a statement condemned Afridi’s “arrest,” and alleging it risked fueling “resentment, mistrust and division” among the provinces. Despite voicing this, it said it would not engage in “provincialism, ethnicity, hatred or division.”
Punjab tour
Earlier, upon his arrival to Lahore, Afridi refused security and reiterated claims the PTI would oust the “fake rulers” through its upcoming long march. He commenced his tour by visiting the home of a deceased PTI worker and offering his condolences thought there were some reports of scuffles between some family members and the KP chief minister’s guards.
The chief minister plans to continue his Punjab tour today (Tuesday) and is scheduled to meet senior journalists.