KP CM Sohail Afridi Alleges Police Brutality Against PTI Workers in Lahore
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has accused Punjab Police and the provincial government of brutality and political victimisation following a tense confrontation during his visit to Lahore, where several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and workers were detained.
Afridi travelled to Lahore to visit the family of deceased PTI activist Ishtiaq Ahmed and later visited Data Darbar. His visit came amid heightened tensions between PTI and the Punjab administration ahead of the party’s planned political mobilisation.
The situation escalated after PTI Lahore President Mian Akram Usman, Vice President Mehr Naeemullah Taj and several party workers were detained, according to reports.
Afridi protested the arrests and eventually boarded a police prisoner van, refusing to leave until the detained workers were released. Police later drove the vehicle away with the chief minister still inside before dropping him at Lakshmi Chowk, where he and his companions sat on a footpath.
Speaking to reporters, Afridi alleged that police had attempted to “abduct” him and accused the Punjab administration of deliberately obstructing his visit. These claims are allegations by the chief minister and had not been independently established in the available reporting.
Afridi also accused Punjab Police of responsibility for the death of PTI activist Ishtiaq Ahmed. PTI alleges that Ahmed suffered severe burns after falling into a container of hot oil during a police raid connected with preparations ahead of Eid Miladun Nabi. He later died from his injuries.
The circumstances surrounding Ahmed’s death remain disputed, however, and PTI’s allegation of direct police responsibility should not be presented as an independently established fact without the findings of an official investigation.
During the confrontation outside Ahmed’s residence, Afridi said he had not come to Lahore to stage a political rally or procession and criticised the heavy police presence and barricades.
Despite the confrontation, the chief minister urged his supporters to remain peaceful.
The incident represents another escalation in tensions between PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leadership and the Punjab administration. Afridi had already accused authorities of cracking down on PTI workers ahead of the party’s planned September 27 protest.
Afridi himself also faces outstanding legal proceedings. An Islamabad anti-terrorism court last week maintained arrest warrants for the KP chief minister and other PTI figures in a case connected with the November 26 protests.
The latest Lahore confrontation is therefore developing on both political and legal fronts, with competing claims requiring careful attribution as PTI prepares for further mobilisation.
