Kohat, December 14, 2025: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Sunday asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to remain prepared in case a call for protest was issued, saying the party would together reclaim Haqiqi Azadi (true freedom) from the country’s current rulers.
Addressing a PTI rally in Kohat, the chief minister recalled a message from jailed party founder Imran Khan, saying the former prime minister had conveyed from prison a call of “freedom or death”.
“So if we go this time, we will either return in shrouds or after attaining freedom,” Afridi said, adding that Imran Khan had entrusted decisions regarding negotiations or protests to Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Both leaders are part of the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), which includes the PTI and has nominated them as opposition leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate.
“For my part, I met them and assured them of every kind of support,” Afridi said, adding that PTI workers should be ready whenever a call came from the opposition leadership.
The chief minister alleged that “all institutions and the government want to eliminate the PTI” and claimed that even the judiciary had failed to address the party’s grievances.
Without naming any institution, he said: “Those meant to protect us become our killers, and those raised to protect our mandate stole it. Tell me then, what option do we have?”
Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Afridi said she had been issuing advice to him and should instead focus on her own province. “Our leader is Imran Khan, and we will listen to no one else,” he said, adding that only Imran Khan’s policy would be followed.
He also cited a recent survey, claiming that the police had emerged as the most corrupt department in Punjab, and urged people to report corruption cases, assuring that his government in KP would act on complaints. He directed divisional and district administrations to keep their doors open to public grievances.
Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Aftab Alam Afridi said that Imran Khan’s family and the KP chief minister were not being allowed to meet the incarcerated PTI founder. He also condemned Imran Khan being labelled a “security threat”.
“Yes, Khan was a threat — but only to those who built business empires in this country,” he said, describing the Kohat gathering as a “warm-up match”.
“And this time, when we leave, we will not return empty-handed,” he added, hinting at possible protests.
Addressing the rally, PTI’s provincial president and MNA Junaid Akbar said party workers could not be intimidated through police cases or press conferences. He said the party was ready to protect the KP government.
“If anyone tries to impose governor’s rule in KP, you must reach and lay siege to the governor’s house,” he said, adding that PTI workers would defend both their mandate and government.
Akbar also referred to the November 26, 2024 protests, alleging that bullets purchased from development funds had been fired on PTI protesters. “This time, we are ready to face bullets,” he said.
He added that decisions regarding talks or protests would be taken by Achakzai.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Shafi Jan warned that removing CM Afridi would lead to an uncontrollable public reaction.
Meanwhile, MNA Shehryar Afridi said the PTI would take Imran Khan’s case to every corner of the country. “No power on earth can challenge Pakistan if the nation is united,” he said, adding that Imran Khan remained a source of pride for the party.
