Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Afridi proposes dialogue with government — Dawn
In Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that his PTI party was ready to resolve disputes with the federal government through dialogue. At the same time, he warned that any misadventure, in his words, could have serious consequences, Dawn reports.
Afridi spoke after PTI postponed its planned march to Islamabad until October 4. The action was intended to secure the release of the party's founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is being held in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
PTI's demands
According to Afridi, the party agreed to postpone the march in order to try to find a mutually acceptable solution through negotiations. He claims that the federal government asked for time to discuss the demands and has 52 days to consider them.
PTI's demands include allowing Imran Khan to receive treatment at a private hospital in Islamabad, as well as granting his lawyers, relatives and 18 party representatives designated by the court access to him. Afridi said that he had previously appealed to the courts and written to the federal government asking to be allowed to meet the jailed former prime minister.
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Commenting on speculation about the possible imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afridi said that his supporters would be able to take to the streets within 24 hours. He also criticized the federal authorities' policy on Afghanistan and counterterrorism.
Federal authorities' response
Following the postponement of the march, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited National Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Achakzai to direct talks. A source close to the head of government said that there had not yet been a response from the opposition leader. A PTI representative confirmed receipt of the invitation.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, for his part, accused Afridi of unwillingness to support operations against militants and alleged PTI's links with terrorists. He made these claims at a press conference in Islamabad.
Despite the postponement of the march, heightened security measures remain in place in the Rawalpindi Division and the Islamabad Capital Territory. Gatherings are banned in Punjab until October 5, while restrictions under Article 144 have been imposed in Islamabad for two months. Federal authorities also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab from September 20 to October 5.
