Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addresses a PTI rally in Besham, Shangla district, as part of the Sept 27 street movement.
By Zeeshan Hussain
SHANGLA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Friday led a street movement rally of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf from Battagram to Besham, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic supporters.
Addressing a gathering at Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Chowk in Battagram, Afridi praised the people for what he called a historic rally and announced an additional Rs2 billion development package for Battagram. He also announced that Allai would be given district status.
The chief minister said a Rs200 billion development package for the Hazara region had already been approved, with projects underway in various sectors. He said the provincial government was committed to balanced development across the province.
Speaking about the street movement, Afridi said PTI founder Imran Khan was “unjustly” imprisoned and urged supporters to march towards Islamabad on September 27.
“September 27 will be the day of revolution,” he said, calling on people from all sections of society to participate in the movement for their rights, justice and what he termed “genuine freedom.”
Addressing supporters in Besham later, Afridi said the turnout from Battagram to Besham showed that people were prepared for the September 27 long march. He said he would personally lead the march.
He called for a peaceful but strong protest in accordance with the constitution and law, saying the entire country would take to the streets on September 27.
“We will neither retreat nor abandon our goal,” Afridi said, adding that the movement would continue until their leader was released.
The chief minister also expressed grief over the deaths of Shangla workers in a coal mine accident in Balochistan, saying the provincial government remained committed to supporting the bereaved families.
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