Afridi to unveil protest strategy today

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has condemned the alleged crackdown on PTI workers ahead of the party's September 27 protest, announcing that he will unveil a strategy for a Punjab street movement in Lahore today (Monday). In a post on X, the chief minister said he would visit the family of Ishtiaq Ahmed, a PTI worker who allegedly died following police action in Punjab's capital. He alleged that the "illegitimate government imposed on Punjab" and its alleged handlers were subjecting PTI workers to such oppression that "every Muslim is ashamed" to hear about it. Afridi alleged that during raids and arrests of PTI workers ahead of Eid Milad-un-Nabi preparations in Lahore, senior party worker Ishtiaq Ahmed had been thrown into a cauldron of hot oil and suffered severe burns. He said Ishtiaq died of his injuries on Sunday. He said he would visit Ahmed's residence in Lahore on Monday to offer condolences to his family. The PTI on Saturday announced a mobilisation drive across Punjab ahead of its planned September 27 protest and long march, with CM Afridi scheduled to visit several cities and meet party leaders and lawmakers in Lahore. The planned mobilisation comes amid a crackdown on PTI workers, with the party alleging that police are conducting raids and detaining workers to prevent them from participating in the protest. According to a route plan circulated by PTI Central Punjab, Afridi will begin his Punjab tour on September 13 from Daud Khel and travel through Mianwali, Wan Bachran, Quaidabad, Khushab and Sargodha before proceeding through Lalian and Chiniot to Faisalabad, where he will stay overnight. On September 14, the procession will travel from Faisalabad through Shahkot and Sheikhupura before reaching Lahore. The PTI said CM Afridi would be accompanied by provincial ministers and party leaders. In Lahore, Afridi is scheduled to meet the Punjab Assembly opposition leaders, MPAs and other party leaders. He will also be briefed on preparations for the September 27 protest. The route plan shows the mobilisation drive linking Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha with Faisalabad and Lahore as the party seeks to mobilise workers and supporters for the September 27 call. Meanwhile, Lahore police began door-to-door visits to the homes of more than 450 PTI workers and started obtaining undertakings from some of them that they would not create a law-and-order situation. Police sources said 122 homes were visited in the Sadar division, 111 in Model Town, 142 in Cantonment and 77 in Civil Lines areas of Punjab's provincial capital. Several workers have reportedly gone into hiding fearing arrest, according to police sources.