LAHORE (MNN); Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Lahore on Friday along with PTI leaders and workers, led a rally at Liberty Chowk as part of the party’s planned street movement.
The KP chief minister came to Lahore to spearhead PTI’s protest strategy and to hold meetings with the party’s local leadership. Late at night, PTI workers and supporters gathered in large numbers at Liberty Chowk, where Afridi joined them in chanting slogans. Videos shared by the party showed him raising his fist among supporters, while flowers were showered on his vehicle as it moved through the area.
KP Minister for Higher Education and Local Government Meena Khan Afridi and PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi, were also present at the rally. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that Punjab Police attempted to block their movement towards Liberty Chowk.
Earlier, visiting PTI leaders, including Meena Khan, were involved in a scuffle with guards at the Punjab Assembly. Footage shared by the party showed pushing and shouting during the incident.
Addressing PTI lawmakers at the Punjab Assembly, CM Afridi thanked the people of Punjab for their hospitality but criticised the treatment of PTI workers by the police during their journey to Lahore. He alleged that party workers, leaders and parliamentarians were harassed and arrested at multiple locations across Punjab.
The KP chief minister also criticised the federal government over economic issues, rising unemployment, farmer distress and restrictions on political activity. He said the government’s focus was on preventing PTI rallies and restricting meetings of Imran Khan with his family rather than addressing public issues.
Earlier in the evening, CM Afridi addressed reporters at the residence of PTI leader Latif Khosa, asserting that public support in Punjab remained with Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.
Meanwhile, traders in Gulberg voluntarily shut down shops and businesses following the announcement of the PTI rally, citing law and order concerns. Traders’ representatives said the decision was taken after being informed of potential security risks.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari welcomed CM Afridi to Lahore but warned against abusive language, unrest or damage to public property. She said political activity was allowed but disorder and violence would not be tolerated, stressing that guests must respect the city’s laws and traditions.
Earlier in the day, CM Afridi claimed that several vehicles accompanying his convoy were stopped at various points while entering Punjab and alleged that PTI workers were arrested and roads blocked. He said such actions were worsening tensions between the provinces.
PTI leaders maintained that the party would proceed with its street movement in line with directives from its founder, describing the Lahore rally as the beginning of a broader protest campaign.
