HARIPUR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has claimed that former prime minister Imran Khan was removed from office because he refused to bow to foreign pressure, asserting that no other leader had the courage to say “absolutely not” due to personal interests.
Addressing the fifth convocation of the University of Haripur, the chief minister congratulated graduating students and expressed hope that they would contribute positively to the country’s progress. He also announced the establishment of a sub-campus of the University of Haripur in Ghazi, saying the move would help expand access to higher education in the region.
Sohail Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belonged to its people and vowed that his government would continue building roads and resolving public issues. “We have big hearts and welcome everyone. We do not shut down lights, roads or markets for anyone,” he said.
Criticising the current political setup, the chief minister said he would defeat what he termed a “Form-47 imposed corrupt group” both politically and in governance. He remarked that the state of the country was evident to everyone, saying the world had reached the moon while Pakistan was still struggling for peace.
He alleged that a democratically elected prime minister was removed through a foreign conspiracy carried out behind closed doors simply because he was unacceptable to a particular external power. Afridi said Imran Khan raised his voice for the Muslim Ummah on non-Muslim soil, which he claimed was intolerable for some. “No one else has the courage to say ‘absolutely not’ because personal interests come first,” he added.
The chief minister also accused federal authorities of forcibly displacing residents of Tirah during severe snowfall. He criticised federal ministers for claiming in press conferences that people were leaving the area voluntarily due to weather conditions.
“People of Tirah have made sacrifices for Pakistan, yet shameless politicians are mocking them,” Afridi said, adding that no one leaves their home willingly and that the displaced families were not provided any financial assistance.
