KP Assembly Calls Emergency Session Amid PTI Arrests, Political Tensions
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has called an emergency session amid arrests and legal action involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members and growing political tensions ahead of the party’s planned September 27 protest in Islamabad.
The emergency sitting was called for Monday night to discuss the evolving political situation and actions involving PTI lawmakers. The report linked the development to preparations surrounding the September 27 mobilisation.
PTI has maintained its decision to mobilise supporters toward Islamabad on September 27. Earlier this month, the party’s core committee discussed possible arrests, road closures and legal challenges while maintaining that the protest plan would proceed unless changed by party founder Imran Khan.
Political and legal pressure on PTI figures has increased ahead of the planned protest. On September 20, the party leadership instructed its lawmakers to avoid leaving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of concerns about possible arrests. PTI also indicated that some of its Punjab-based leaders could travel to KP.
Separate legal proceedings are already underway against several PTI figures. An Islamabad anti-terrorism court earlier issued non-bailable arrest warrants for eight PTI national and provincial lawmakers in a case involving allegations of violating Section 144, protesting and vandalism. The lawmakers include Shahid Khattak, Naseem Ali Shah, Amir Dogar, Atif Khan, Iqbal Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Ali and Shafi Jan.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also faced outstanding legal proceedings. An Islamabad anti-terrorism court maintained arrest warrants against Afridi, PTI leader Junaid Akbar and others earlier this month in connection with a November 26 protest case.
The latest emergency session follows another period of confrontation involving the provincial government. Last week, the KP Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the treatment of Afridi by Punjab police during his visit to Lahore. The resolution described his alleged detention and separation from his security detail as unacceptable and called for action to protect inter-provincial relations and constitutional federalism.
Afridi has continued political activity in Punjab ahead of the September 27 mobilisation. On Sunday night, he travelled to Lahore after saying he had received information that Imran Khan’s sisters, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, could be detained. Express subsequently reported that the two women were taken into custody, while Aleema Khan had already been detained.
The emergency assembly sitting is expected to focus on the political and legal situation facing PTI and its lawmakers. Any resolutions or formal decisions emerging from the session will require confirmation once proceedings conclude.
The situation remains developing as both PTI’s preparations for September 27 and legal proceedings involving its leaders continue.
