Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led a large motorcade from Peshawar into Lahore on Friday, defying police roadblocks and heightened security measures as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved to intensify nationwide protests following the sentencing of party founder Imran Khan.
The convoy, comprising party leaders, lawmakers and supporters, entered Punjab via major interchanges including Chakri and Sial Mor, where police had placed containers and barriers to restrict movement. Despite these measures, crowds gathered along the route, waving party flags and chanting slogans in support of Imran Khan.
The mobilisation follows a message attributed to Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, where he is serving a 17-year sentence in a corruption case. In the message, Khan called on supporters to take to the streets across the country, terming the verdict politically motivated and urging protests for the restoration of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
PTI leaders said the Lahore move is part of a broader, peaceful protest campaign, with a rally planned at Liberty Roundabout later in the day. “This is a constitutional and democratic right,” a PTI spokesperson said, insisting that the party has instructed workers to avoid confrontation with law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, Punjab authorities maintained a high security alert across Lahore, deploying police and paramilitary personnel at key entry points and sensitive locations. Traffic disruptions were reported on several roads, though no major clashes or incidents of violence had been confirmed by late evening.
Critics, including political opponents and civil society voices, questioned the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in leading street agitation outside its province. They argued that the KP administration should prioritise pressing local challenges such as rising terrorist incidents, strained healthcare services, and weak education and development indicators.
Responding to the criticism, PTI leaders from KP said political protest and governance were not mutually exclusive. “Standing for constitutional rights is also part of our responsibility,” a senior KP minister said.
As tensions remain high, authorities and PTI leaders alike have called for restraint. Observers say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the protests stay peaceful or escalate into a broader political confrontation.
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