PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that a public protest movement will begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4.

In a statement, Afridi said the protest movement would continue until what he described as the supremacy of the Constitution and law and the restoration of an independent judiciary.

He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) believes its demands are within the framework of the Constitution and law, adding that citizens have a constitutional right to hold peaceful protests.

Afridi also alleged that PTI founder Imran Khan, his family members and party workers were not being provided their legal rights. He further raised questions about various political and governmental matters involving previous and current governments.

Speaking about the security situation, the chief minister said terrorism was a real issue for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan rather than merely a matter of competing narratives. He said Imran Khan had consistently opposed military operations and the displacement of civilians as a permanent solution to terrorism.

Afridi also expressed his views on drone strikes and collateral damage, arguing that such actions could contribute to an increase in terrorism.

The chief minister claimed that a change in government policy was necessary to establish lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that, in his view, peace could be restored in the province within 100 days if the policy direction was changed.

He also questioned the availability of weapons purchased for the provincial police and called for clarification regarding reports of arrests involving some ministers and party workers.

Afridi further questioned the counterterrorism policies of the federal and Balochistan governments, asking why peace had not been achieved in Balochistan if similar policies were being followed.

Referring to the May 9 incidents, he said such events would not be allowed to happen again. He also made allegations concerning the handling of CCTV footage related to the incidents.

Concluding his statement, Afridi announced that the protest activity would formally begin at 1pm on October 4 from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat and appealed to the public to participate.