Azma Bokhari calls Sohail Afridi’s long march a ‘short-term march’

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s long march, calling it a “short-term march” and alleging that it was being held in support of terrorists.

In a statement, Bokhari said that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing terrorist attacks, Afridi was leading a march while standing atop a container. She maintained that the march served neither the interests of PTI founder Imran Khan nor those of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

She questioned the security situation in the province, saying that while the region remained unsafe, the march on the streets appeared to be proceeding without security concerns.

The provincial information minister said security forces were sacrificing their lives to protect the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Afridi was allegedly mocking the forces from atop a container and showing sympathy towards terrorists.

Bokhari further claimed that PTI’s senior leadership had been held hostage politically by what she described as a “container performer.”

In a separate development, the Peshawar High Court has sought a response from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister regarding the alleged use of government resources for the long march.

Bokhari described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the province most affected by terrorism and said the sacrifices made by its police personnel and residents in the fight against terrorism would not be forgotten.

She also claimed that people in the province wanted to be freed from PTI’s rule and what she called an incompetent group. Bokhari further alleged that, following public rejection, AI-generated videos were being circulated on social media.