Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi has not been arrested and is in protective custody, while claiming that the provincial assembly’s status has been suspended.
Speaking on a private media talk show, Tarar alleged that evidence linked certain individuals to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He accused Afridi of visiting different locations and meeting terrorists to look after their associates, claiming that such activities put people’s lives at risk for political gains.
The minister also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s response to terrorism, saying that the provincial administration had failed to take the threat seriously.
Tarar further alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers had planned to set fire to and vandalise the Governor House but failed to draw public support for the plan.
He claimed that provincial minister Shafi Jan had also fled, while no one was left to lead the proposed long march. Tarar also criticised Afridi’s activities across the province, describing him as politically weak.
Discussing the province’s political future, the minister said that the status of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had been suspended and ruled out an in-house change. He added that a new administrative setup would run the province, while adding that Afridi’s return was not under consideration.
Tarar also announced that the National Assembly would meet on Tuesday.
He reiterated his criticism of the provincial government over its handling of terrorism and questioned its intentions in addressing the issue.
The minister added that the government will make efforts to arrest those wanted in connection with the May 9 cases.
