Ahead of KP CM’s arrival in Lahore: ‘Punjab government was gripped by fear,’ says Qureshi

LAHORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Moeen Riaz Qureshi, made strong statements on Friday alleging that the Punjab government has been gripped by fear in anticipation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s arrival, which has reportedly resulted in the arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, including several ticket holders.

Qureshi expressed these views both while addressing the media outside the Punjab Assembly and during his speech on the floor of the House.

According to Qureshi, there is currently an atmosphere of fascism prevailing in the province, with police having arrested numerous workers, including 16-year-old youths, under the cover of darkness.

He stated that raids have been conducted on the homes of prominent political figures including Mian Mahmood-ul-Rasheed, Mian Akram Usman, Aslam Iqbal, and Yasser Gillani. Furthermore, close relatives of Mian Mahmood-ul-Rasheed and Aslam Iqbal have also been taken into custody.

The opposition leader mentioned that the list of all expected guests has been provided to the Assembly Secretary, expressing his hope that the guests will be welcomed peacefully.

Moeen Riaz Qureshi issued a stern warning that if any guest is treated disrespectfully or if attempts are made to obstruct them, the opposition will stage a protest toward Mall Road. He emphasized that all guests accompanying Sohail Afridi are respectable individuals to him and should be treated with appropriate dignity.

During the assembly session, opposition member Waqas Maan voiced his concerns about the current situation, stating that police personnel are stationed outside his home and that his children have been subjected to harassment. He claimed that police officers were given orders at two o’clock in the morning to apprehend PTI workers. Maan asserted that the entire Punjab province has been turned into a battlefield, going so far as to say that he would resign from his position if his claims prove to be false.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025