POLITICAL HEAT: We were being treated as second-class citizens: Sohail Afridi

In a statement released on X, Chief Minister of KPK Sohail Afridi said that we are being treated as second-class citizens and the state is treating us like a stepmother.

He released the demands presented to the federal government on X for political stability, supremacy of the constitution and law, continuity of the democratic process and establishment of law and order in the country.

To ensure political stability in the country, the supremacy of the constitution and law, the continuity of the democratic process, national unity, the establishment of peace and order, and to resolve all political and national issues through mutual consultation and negotiations, the following issues will be agreed upon:

• A regular meeting will be organized between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the leaders of the opposition parties in both houses, in which all important political, national, constitutional, legal and democratic issues facing the country, especially pending issues, will be discussed in detail.

• The parties shall be bound to ensure effective and workable progress within two months to resolve the above issues through mutual consultation and negotiations.

• The Prime Minister of Pakistan shall constitute a joint political negotiation committee comprising representatives of the ruling coalition, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the opposition parties.

• This committee shall hold continuous talks with the opposition on national and political issues, mutual differences and other important issues and shall seek workable solutions by mutual consent. There shall be complete freedom of democracy, politics, the judiciary and the press.

• The committee shall ensure significant progress in negotiations and resolution within one month of its establishment and shall present its recommendations to the relevant leadership.
• Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi shall be provided with all legal, human and medical rights without discrimination in accordance with the Prison Manual, the Constitution of Pakistan and prevailing laws.

• In connection with their treatment and care, the provision of necessary medical facilities and treatment shall be ensured, taking into account the medical opinion, instructions and advice of their personal/nominated doctors, where applicable by law.

• Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi shall be provided with the right to meet their families, nominated lawyers and authorized/nominated companions in accordance with the Jail Manual and relevant laws.

• The meetings shall be held in accordance with the law and the prison rules and regulations. However, the facility of meeting shall not be used by any party for political or other purposes prohibited by law.

• The process of consideration of appeals and other legal applications filed by Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, all detainees including women, elderly and sick prisoners against sentences and all other legal applications shall be initiated/completed within ten days in accordance with the Constitution and law, where legally possible.

• All cases will be decided by the relevant courts and legal forums in accordance with the constitution, law, transparent judicial procedure and the principles of justice, without undue delay.
• Women who are serving political imprisonment, including Buzurg Yasmin Rashid and Bushra Bibi, should be released as soon as possible, showing humanitarian sympathy.

• Effective, continuous and meaningful consultation between the federal and provincial governments will be ensured to eliminate the ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protect the lives and property of the people and establish permanent and sustainable peace.

• For this purpose, the existing policies and measures will be regularly reviewed and appropriate amendments will be made to them as needed.

• Authorized representatives of the federal and provincial governments will hold regular meetings within 72 hours and formulate a clear, comprehensive and workable strategy for the establishment of law and order through mutual consultation.

• The implementation of this strategy within the framework of the constitution and law will be the joint responsibility of the federal and provincial governments.

• After the Federal Government provides a written assurance of effective implementation of the above assurances and agreed measures, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will announce the cancellation of the current long march.

• However, if the Federal Government violates the agreed assurances, the negotiation process or the constitutional and legal requirements or unjustifiably disrupts the negotiation process, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will reserve its right to peaceful, democratic and legal protest in accordance with the Constitution and law.

Also Read This:https://theinquirerpk.com/paris-clashes-thousands-of-students-arrested-during-protest/