Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has doubled down on his controversial plan to mobilize a massive “release force” aimed at freeing imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, despite growing opposition from within his own party’s senior leadership.
A Force of “Hundreds of Thousands”
Addressing the media, CM Afridi stated that the proposed “Imran Khan Release Force” would comprise hundreds of thousands of people from all party wings, including lawyers and the Insaf Youth. He framed it as a peaceful, registered movement, with members set to take an oath in Peshawar after Eid ul Fitr. Afridi claimed the incarcerated PTI founder had assigned him the responsibility of leading this “street movement.”
Internal Dissent and a Chairman’s Intervention
The announcement has exposed significant divisions within PTI. While Afridi’s aide argued the force’s creation was a settled matter, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram stated he first learned of the plan through the public announcement, suggesting a lack of internal consultation.
More critically, party sources report that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has directly intervened to halt the plan. Gohar reportedly warned that creating a sworn “force” for a political objective could be construed as unconstitutional, unlawful, and potentially fall within the ambit of militancy. The chairman is said to be building consensus against the move among opposition allies.
Health Concerns and Political Tensions
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of heightened concerns over Imran Khan’s health. A Supreme Court report confirmed the 73-year-old former prime minister suffers from a serious eye condition, Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), with only 15% vision remaining in his right eye. While the government insists he is receiving the best possible treatment, Afridi expressed distrust in the official medical reports, alleging the documents were fabricated.
A Movement at a Crossroads
The proposed “release force” has become a flashpoint, highlighting the strategic and legal tensions within PTI as it navigates Khan’s prolonged imprisonment. With the party chairman and senior figures pushing back against the KP CM’s bold gambit, the plan’s future remains uncertain, signaling a potential power struggle over the direction of the party’s mobilization efforts.
