PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, while addressing a press conference outside the Supreme Court after the hearing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s case, said that continued disregard for court orders has made an organised and peaceful public movement inevitable.
The Chief Minister announced that preparations for a street movement are being initiated through the establishment of the “Imran Khan Rihai Force”, (Imran Release Force) under which youth across the country will be registered as members. He added that the Rihai Force will include members of the ISF, Insaf Youth Wing, Women Wing, Minority Wing, professionals, and people belonging to all walks of life.
Sohail Afridi stated that the Imran Khan Rihai Force will pursue a completely peaceful struggle, and upon Imran Khan’s release, the force will be dissolved by Imran Khan himself.
He added that membership cards will be ready within four to five days, while a formal oath-taking ceremony of youth will be held in Peshawar after Eid.
The Chief Minister said that a strong chain of command will be established for this movement, and all directions will be issued through leadership nominated by Imran Khan.
Responding to a question, he said that Imran Khan had assigned responsibility for both protest and negotiations to the leaders of Tehreek Tahaffuz Aain E Pakistan, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and accordingly the decision was taken to stage a sit-in outside Parliament House.
The entire leadership of PTI responded to the call and remained present there. He added that Imran Khan has assigned him the responsibility of preparing for the street movement, and preparations are underway across Pakistan, with people actively mobilizing.
He further stated that despite adopting all constitutional, legal, and democratic avenues, court orders continue to be ignored, and Imran Khan is even being denied access to his personal physician, which clearly shows that a structured public struggle has now become unavoidable.
Addressing party workers, he assured them that an effective call would be given after thorough preparation. The Chief Minister emphasized that this struggle is for real freedom, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, the restoration of democracy, and a free media, and that truth and justice will prevail.
In response to another question, the Chief Minister said that protest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been initiated by workers on voluntarily basis. Following the issuance of orders by the Peshawar High Court, the party stepped back in respect of the courts, as Imran Khan has taught us to respect institutions.
He thanked all party workers and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for enduring several days of hardship and for continuing to stand with Imran Khan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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