Province Report
RAWALPINDI: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has demanded a meeting between himself, the provincial finance advisor, and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan to discuss the upcoming provincial budget, stating that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had entrusted their mandate to Imran Khan and his guidance was essential for the next fiscal year’s financial planning.
Speaking to media representatives outside Adiala Jail, the Chief Minister said that budget-related documents should be shared with Imran Khan and his recommendations incorporated into the provincial budget. He announced that the Islamabad High Court would be approached through a formal petition to secure the meeting.
Sohail Afridi warned that if access to Imran Khan continued to be restricted, PTI would stage a protest outside the National Assembly on June 10 and oppose the passage of the federal budget.
Expressing concern over Imran Khan’s incarceration, the Chief Minister alleged that the PTI founder was being kept in solitary confinement and demanded that he be provided medical treatment under the supervision of personal doctors in the presence of family members at Shifa International Hospital. He maintained that access to proper healthcare was Imran Khan’s fundamental right.
The Chief Minister also criticized restrictions on meetings between Imran Khan, his family members, party leadership, and personal doctors, saying such limitations raised serious concerns.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the PTI founder, Sohail Afridi stated that the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was formed on Imran Khan’s mandate and vision. He remarked that if Imran Khan decided otherwise, no individual could continue as Chief Minister without his support.
Criticizing the federal government’s economic performance, Afridi said it had failed to achieve tax targets and alleged that national debt had risen significantly over the past four years. He claimed that unemployment, inflation, and economic challenges were increasing, while industries and businesses continued to suffer.
Regarding the provincial budget, the Chief Minister said the KP cabinet had approved the budget documents and that the upcoming budget would be balanced, people-friendly, and development-oriented. He added that special focus had been given to health, education, environment, and agriculture sectors in line with PTI’s priorities.
Sohail Afridi further claimed that the federal budget would place additional economic pressure on the public. Commenting on the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, he expressed confidence in PTI’s popularity and called for free, fair, and transparent elections.
The Chief Minister concluded by stating that despite imprisonment, Imran Khan continued to enjoy widespread public support across the country.
