Kashmir Highway: Blockade of KP CM’s convoy by police causes severe traffic congestion

ISLAMABAD: Police on Friday stopped a convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at Chungi No 26 on the Kashmir Highway while it was heading towards Parliament House to stage a protest against restrictions on meetings between incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his sisters. Police stopped the convoy, which included provincial ministers, cabinet members, PTI members of the provincial assembly (MPAs), and party workers, causing severe traffic congestion and leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded. A heavy contingent of police was deployed in the area. A heated exchange also took place between the KP ministerial delegation and police officials. The convoy was heading to Parliament House to protest in front of the Parliament House, where the National Assembly and Senate were in sessions for the 2026-27 budget presentation. KP CM Sohail Afridi and the provincial finance adviser called for a meeting with Imran Khan to consult him on the presentation of the provincial budget. Talking to the media, Afridi said he had raised the issue of meeting with Imran Khan before the budget during the National Economic Committee (NEC) meeting, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the CM of KP did not agree with him on some political issues, adding he would discuss these matters after the meeting. However, this part was later cut from the PM’s speech. Afridi said the people of KP had given their mandate in the name of Imran Khan, adding that consultation with him on the provincial budget was a democratic, political, and moral responsibility. He further said the KP’s budget would be passed after consultation with Khan. He termed the blocking of elected representatives from entering the federal capital as the worst form of authoritarianism and accused the federal government of deliberately creating hurdles in meeting the PTI founder. Responding to questions regarding reports that Imran Khan had been shifted to a hospital, Afridi said neither he, his party’s leadership, nor Khan’s family had any confirmed information about such claims. He also denied media reports suggesting meetings with Imran Khan or Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, calling them false, saying these assertions were made to divert attention from developments taking place in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Afridi said police resorted to blocking the convoy and baton charge, resulting in injuries to some party members and MPAs. He questioned the decision to stop a chief minister from entering the federal capital, calling it an attack on democratic and constitutional rights. He added that the PTI leadership would continue its struggle for democratic and constitutional rights. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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