In a bold political showdown, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has put Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Sohail Afreedi on notice, threatening his job over the launch of the ‘Release Imran Khan Force.’ Deeming it a blatant violation of the constitution, Asif underscored that only the central government holds the power to form such groups.
Local reports highlight Asif’s sharp critique: Afreedi’s move is merely a ploy to safeguard his own position amid mounting pressures. This comes hot on the heels of PTI’s recent protest withdrawal from Islamabad, where opposition alliances had camped out for days.
The minister categorically rejected any plans to transfer Imran Khan, jailed since August 2023, to foreign soil or his Islamabad mansion. ‘Such talks are shopkeeping tactics by opportunists,’ Asif quipped, attributing them to facility-related inquiries at best.
Afreedi unveiled the force during a Supreme Court-adjacent media briefing, revealing Khan’s directive for him to spearhead street protests. He accused authorities of flouting judicial directives by blocking Khan’s private medical consultations.
Outlining the force’s structure, Afreedi promised official registration, peaceful operations under Khan’s command oversight, and post-Eid oath-taking in Peshawar. The group aims to champion constitutional rights, democratic values, and independent journalism through meticulous groundwork.
Currently lodged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, after a Lahore-based corruption conviction, Khan’s plight continues to galvanize PTI supporters. Asif’s admonition underscores a federal crackdown on provincial overreach, potentially setting the stage for fiercer confrontations in Pakistan’s polarized arena.