KARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi voiced his frustration over being unable to meet his party leader, Imran Khan, stating that no one paid heed to his request. He emphasized that when individuals are cornered without alternatives, protests become the only recourse.
Speaking at an event organized by the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Afridi highlighted Imran Khan’s ongoing struggle for what he termed “real freedom.” He pointed out that Imran Khan, despite being the most popular leader in Pakistan, remains imprisoned with no provisions for a meeting. He criticized the Chief Justice of Pakistan for not facilitating a meeting and noted the lack of acknowledgment for the letter he sent.
Afridi further elaborated that engaging in protest politics becomes necessary when no other path is available, asserting that both the Constitution and laws provide room for such actions. He shared that he had written letters to the Punjab chief minister and the Chief Justice after assuming office. Despite orders from three judges of the Islamabad High Court permitting him to meet Imran Khan, the jail superintendent chose to ignore these directives.
He remarked that such disregard was not merely an affront to his position but an attack on the judiciary and the legal profession as a whole. Expressing gratitude to Sindh High Court Bar lawyers, Afridi appreciated the opportunity to present his views before them. Praising Sindh’s people as resilient and hospitable, he acknowledged their generosity towards diverse communities within the province’s capital. However, he criticized Sindh’s provincial administration for failing to honor traditions symbolized by the Ajrak and Sindhi cap.
Afridi called upon legal professionals to take a stand, arguing that true judicial independence hinges on their collective efforts.
During his visit to Hyderabad, Afridi censured the Punjab and central governments for their policies. Recognizing his presence at the ceremony, Sindh High Court Bar President Haseeb Jamali gifted him a traditional Sindhi Ajrak and cap.
Salman Akram Raja also addressed attendees, sharing sentiments of comfort and belonging. He emphasized their pursuit of constitutional principles and justice to defend fundamental human rights. Stressing freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, such as movement and expression, he reiterated their commitment to upholding these liberties.
Raja expressed solidarity with the families of missing persons in Balochistan while raising concerns over displacements occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the pretext of operations.
