PTI Draws Red Line, Pushes Street Movement

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would not engage in talks with the government without first launching street protests to challenge the prevailing political situation, Dawn reported.

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KP CM Afridi along with PTI supporters rally outside Adiala Jail

Afridi made the remarks after spending three days in Lahore mobilising party supporters, at a time when the PTI remains divided internally. While one group of senior leaders has been advocating dialogue, another faction continues to push for street agitation in line with the directions of the party's jailed founder, Imran Khan, according to Dawn.

A day earlier, Afridi had said the authority to initiate negotiations rested with the opposition alliance, while he had been assigned responsibility for leading the party's street movement. He had arrived in Lahore along with provincial ministers and assembly members to launch the protest campaign, following directives from Imran Khan, Dawn reported.

Speaking to journalists earlier in the day, Afridi said reconciliation was not possible without resistance. “We will be at a loss if we enter into dialogue without resistance. So, the protest movement will continue until the rulers come to the table after recognising the opposition as an equal partner,” he said.