Sohail Afridi Says He Was Thrown Onto Road After Alleged Kidnapping Attempt

LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has alleged that Punjab Police attempted to kidnap him and later left him in the middle of the road. He termed the alleged incident serious, saying that an attempt to abduct the chief executive of a province was not a minor matter and that those responsible would face pressure.

Earlier, Afridi reportedly boarded a police vehicle himself while seeking the release of PTI workers detained in Lahore. He told police that he would not leave the vehicle until his workers were released. PTI leader Shaukat Basra also alleged that Punjab Police had detained the Lahore leadership and arrested hundreds of party workers after placing roadblocks as they were heading towards Liberty.

KP CM Demands Release of PTI Leaders and Workers in Lahore

Afridi later declared that the PTI leadership and workers would not leave until those detained were released. During his Lahore visit, he also met the family of longtime PTI worker Ishtiaq Ahmed, offered condolences and condemned the circumstances surrounding his death. He alleged that throwing Ishtiaq Ahmed into a pan of hot oil was a highly distressing and unacceptable act and assured the family of all possible support.

The KP chief minister subsequently led a PTI street movement rally in Lahore in connection with the September 27 long march. Addressing workers at Do Moria Bridge, Afridi said he had told Punjab Police that he did not require security from officers allegedly involved in the death of Ishtiaq Ahmed. He also called on Punjab Police to return to their police stations, claiming that people in Punjab had developed resentment toward the police and their uniforms.