Politics
The federal government is preparing to take action against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and has devised a strategy in case he does not change his conduct, according to sources.
The federal government is preparing to take action against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and has devised a strategy in case he does not change his conduct, according to sources.
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would consult his close aides on the proposed strategy on Saturday, with important decisions expected following consultations and briefings by the federal government. Sources claimed that preparations had begun to arrest or detain Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s central leadership across the country. They added that strong action could be taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if governor’s rule or an emergency were imposed.
A strategy has reportedly been prepared to mobilise the police and bureaucracy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities may initiate strict legal proceedings, including arrests, against those who take to the streets to protest. The provincial administration is also likely to receive special instructions aimed at restricting the scale of the demonstrations.
Last night, following a consultative meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. During the conversation, Fazlur Rehman advised the prime minister to avoid imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that such measures could politically damage the parties in the governing coalition. According to sources, the two leaders discussed the deadlock in negotiations and PTI’s long march. Fazlur Rehman told the prime minister that he was willing to play a role in resolving the issues through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Fazlur Rehman’s political insight and his decision to stay away from the protest movement. He said the federal government had made sincere and extensive efforts to resolve the issues through negotiations, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s refusal to cooperate with counterterrorism measures had led to the failure of the talks. “There can be no compromise in the war against terrorism, and negligence is also unacceptable,” the prime minister said, according to the sources. Fazlur Rehman urged the prime minister to give negotiations between the federal government and PTI another opportunity to improve the situation. In response, Shehbaz Sharif said the government remained willing to negotiate but would not tolerate any march on Islamabad under any circumstances. He called on PTI to end its long march and return to the negotiating table.
