Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has faced criticism over his reported use of a government helicopter to reach Lakki Marwat. He travelled there on Sunday before leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad.
Afridi reached the city by helicopter and then launched the march from Gandi Chowk. The PTI organised the procession to demand the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Government Questions Use Of State Resources
The development has drawn attention to an Islamabad High Court ruling issued on September 18. The court directed provincial governments not to use public resources, funds, official vehicles or machinery to facilitate political marches.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised Afridi and described the helicopter’s use as a violation of the court’s order. Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also said the chief minister’s action amounted to contempt of court.
PTI Begins Long March From Lakki Marwat
Despite the criticism, Afridi addressed supporters at Gandi Chowk and formally launched the march. He said his party would not accept policies that harmed the interests of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its people.
Earlier, former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur led a separate PTI convoy from Dera Ismail Khan. The convoy travelled towards Lakki Marwat to join the main procession.
The PTI had announced the march after talks with the federal government failed to resolve differences, particularly over counterterrorism policy. Consequently, political tensions between the federal government and the KP administration have intensified as the protest moves towards Islamabad.
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