Zardari Ended Bhutto and Benazir’s Political Legacy, Says KP Chief Minister

Karachi-(Special Correspondent/Web Desk)-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday strongly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership, alleging that President Asif Ali Zardari had effectively ended the political legacy of former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Sindh United Party (SUP) in Jamshoro, the KP chief minister said the PPP had long projected itself as the guardian of the 18th Constitutional Amendment but had later undermined the Constitution’s spirit through the 26th and 27th amendments.

CM Afridi claimed that the people of Sindh were now seeking change and were unwilling to accept the continued rule of familiar political figures. He further alleged that those currently ruling at the Centre were doing so with what he termed a “manufactured mandate”.

The PTI-backed chief minister also asserted his independence, saying he could not be forced to adopt anyone else’s views. “You can silence me, but you cannot change my voice,” he remarked.

PTI Granted Permission for Karachi Rally, Afridi Visits Sindh

He said his struggle was aligned with the rights of Sindh’s people, true democracy and freedom, adding the movement aimed at the supremacy of the Constitution and law, restoration of an independent judiciary, free media and the rule of law.

The KP chief minister also called for preparations for a street movement, urging supporters to respond whenever a call was given.

He asserted that the PTI would organise a public gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah near the Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum on Sunday (tomorrow), despite “it being locked” for entry.

From Jamshoro, the KP chief minister travelled to Hyderabad, where he accused the federal government of discriminatory treatment, alleging it had denied his province its constitutional and financial rights.

Speaking to reporters, the KP chief minister said that the federation was not giving KP its due rights.

CM Afridi claimed that PTI’s mandate had been undermined, saying the party had formed the government at the Centre.

Afridi also raised concerns over the National Finance Commission award, stating that the NFC share was not being distributed fairly among the four provinces.

He added that the tribal districts were included only in administrative matters, not given a financial share.

Referring to official protocol, Afridi said other provincial chief ministers were provided aircraft and praised regularly, claiming that the disagreement was “not with me personally, but with the province”.

CM Afridi arrived in Karachi on Friday on a three-day visit to Sindh as part of PTI’s street mobilisation movement to mark first anniversary of “fraud” February 8 polls held in 2024.

Contrary to his Punjab visit, where memebers of his delegation clashed with security personnel, the KP CM’s first day in Sindh went smoothly.

After arriving at the Karachi airport, he visited Karachi Press Club, where he addressed workers and the journalist community.

Speaking at the press club, Afridi said that he had also visited Punjab but was not treated well there.

“In Lahore, wherever we went to eat, the market would be shut,” Afridi said, questioning where the Constitution barred a chief minister from engaging in politics in another province.

The chief minister lauded the Sindh government for welcoming him to the province, and extended an invitation to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to visit KP