Instead of announcing a massive rally, PTI has chosen to observe a “Black Day.” PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar directed all regional organizations of the party to hold protests at the district level. He specifically instructed national and provincial assembly members to visit the homes of workers who lost their lives during past protests to show solidarity with their families. The party will also hold Qur’an Khwani (recitation) and a small protest in Hayatabad, Peshawar.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, while speaking to the media, expressed deep frustration. He stated that negotiating with "powerless people" is useless and that conditions will only improve if all political parties are provided with a "level playing field."
The Chief Minister revealed the extent of his attempts to meet Imran Khan, mentioning that he had passed a resolution in the provincial assembly, written a letter to the Chief Justice, and filed a petition in the High Court. He concluded that he now has "no way left except to protest" to meet his party leader, who is incarcerated. He stressed that he has a response to every move by the federal government.
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The Chief Minister also criticized the federal government's authority and accused institutions of bias. He mentioned that Imran Khan had formed a committee for negotiations, but the federal government lacked the power to engage. He complained of receiving notices from the FIA and the Election Commission (ECP) but highlighted that the ECP does not take any action against figures like Maryam Nawaz, suggesting unfair treatment.
The decision to observe a subdued “Black Day” rather than a large protest suggests that the party is adapting its strategy to minimize risks of arrests or legal challenges. The KP Chief Minister’s strong rhetoric and public desperation to meet his leader highlight the political deadlock and the intense pressure PTI feels from the federal level, particularly the perceived lack of a level playing field.
