Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday called on lawyers in Islamabad to defend the judicial independence, highlighting the role of the legal community in upholding constitutional supremacy.
Afridi made the remarks while addressing members of the Islamabad Bar Association during an event aimed at rallying support for the PTI’s ongoing street movement. “If you do not stand up for the supremacy of the Constitution and the law and for an independent judiciary, then future generations will spit on us and you as well,” Afridi said.
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He urged lawyers to launch a movement, emphasizing that the youth would support their efforts and encouraged the fraternity to resist what he described as political oppression. Afridi highlighted the importance of fair trials, referencing the cases of journalists and politicians who, he said, faced unjust treatment.
اپ وکلاء اپ بہت بڑی ذمہ داری عائد ہوتی ہے شاید میں قانون کو اتنا نہیں سمجھتا جتنا اپ سمجھتے ہیں پاکستانی قوم کی نظریں اپ وکلاء پر ہیں۔۔۔
وزیراعلی خیبر پختونخواہ سہیل آفریدی۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/LhTm5ldajp— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) January 5, 2026
He also praised Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir for her role in inspiring youth activism and commemorated the struggles of journalists such as Arshad Sharif, who had to flee Pakistan for safety but was ultimately killed abroad.
The KP chief minister drew attention to the challenges facing PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. Afridi criticized authorities for denying him access to Imran despite court orders, calling the situation “oppression and fascism.”
He contrasted the treatment of political figures, arguing that those who took state resources illegally faced no punishment while PTI leaders were jailed. Afridi also spoke on security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that residents across different communities do not support military operations as a solution to militancy.
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He described ongoing preparations for potential operations as “hooliganism” and emphasized the need for lawful, constitutional measures to address security challenges. The address forms part of Afridi’s broader tour, following a three-day visit to Lahore, with Karachi slated as his next stop in mobilizing support for PTI’s political and judicial agenda.