Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday urged lawyers in Islamabad to stand for an independent judiciary. He made the remarks while addressing an event organized by the Islamabad Bar Association. Afridi stressed that defending the law and Constitution is essential to protect future generations from injustice.
Afridi encouraged the legal community to launch a lawyers’ movement. He said the youth would fully support their efforts. “If you do not stand up for the supremacy of the Constitution and law, future generations will condemn us,” he said.
The KP CM called on lawyers to back Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. He asked them to oppose recent constitutional amendments and demand fair trials for journalists and politicians. Afridi emphasized that Imran seeks justice, not special treatment. He referred to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan in October 2023, noting that he was allowed to enter despite being a convicted leader.
Afridi also highlighted the plight of journalists facing injustice. He mentioned Arshad Sharif, who was forced to leave Pakistan for his safety and was later killed in Kenya in October 2022. The chief minister warned lawyers that the oppression faced by PTI today could affect others tomorrow if legal safeguards are ignored.
During his speech, Afridi criticized the denial of his court-approved requests to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. He said the jail authorities ignored judicial directives. Afridi accused the current system of targeting political figures while shielding those who misused state resources.
The KP CM also spoke on security matters in the province. He said people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa believed a military operation was not the solution to rising militancy. He described ongoing preparations for such action as “hooliganism” rather than effective governance.
