Urdu Report Desk
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi stepped up political activities in Lahore on September 14, 2026, announcing plans to intensify the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) movement in Punjab ahead of the party’s planned Islamabad long march on September 27.
During his visit, Afridi offered condolences to the family of PTI worker Ishtiaq Ahmad, addressed party supporters and engaged in a tense exchange with Punjab Police. Reports also emerged that he was taken into police custody before being dropped off at Lakshmi Chowk.
The visit took place amid heightened political tensions, with PTI protesting alleged action against its workers in Punjab and the provincial government criticizing the party’s activities.
Sohail Afridi in Lahore: Street Movement, Police Custody and Release at Lakshmi Chowkhttps://t.co/msLxnUjS95
— Urdu Report (@UrduReportpk) September 14, 2026
Visit Plan Changed Before Lahore Arrival
According to the initial PTI programme, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was scheduled to travel through several cities in Punjab before reaching Lahore. The proposed route included Daud Khel, Mianwali, Sargodha, Chiniot, Faisalabad and Sheikhupura, among other locations.
However, following the death of PTI worker Ishtiaq Ahmad in Lahore, Afridi changed his plans and decided to visit the deceased worker’s family first.
According to PTI, Ishtiaq Ahmad suffered severe burns after falling into a cauldron of hot oil during an alleged police operation amid preparations for Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ. He later died from his injuries.
Afridi strongly condemned the incident and described it as an alleged police crackdown. The circumstances surrounding Ahmad’s death and the allegations against the police have not been independently verified in the available information.
وزیر اعلیٰ کے پی کے کو پنجاب پولیس نے لوھور مِن اپنی تحویل میں لے لیا۔ pic.twitter.com/K7tw5m5mKI
— Urdu Report (@UrduReportpk) September 14, 2026
Condolences at Ishtiaq Ahmad’s Residence
Sohail Afridi arrived at Ishtiaq Ahmad’s residence in Lahore, where he offered condolences to the bereaved family and participated in prayers for the deceased.
He also assured the family of all possible support.
PTI Secretary-General Barrister Salman Akram Raja, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly and other party leaders were present on the occasion. A large number of party workers and local residents gathered outside the residence.
Tense Exchange with Punjab Police
A tense exchange took place between Sohail Afridi and Punjab Police over the presence of a heavy police contingent and security arrangements outside the worker’s home.
Afridi told police officers that he had not come to Lahore to hold a public rally but to offer condolences to the deceased worker’s family. He also refused the security being offered by the police.
During the exchange, he said:
“Allah protects me. If my life were in your hands, I would not have died tomorrow—I would have died today.”
The chief minister also asked police personnel to return to their police stations and claimed to have the support of the people of Punjab.
He later addressed PTI supporters at different locations in Lahore and criticized the Punjab government.
Punjab Street Movement Announced
During his Lahore visit, Sohail Afridi announced plans to intensify political activities in Punjab and present a future course of action for the Punjab Street Movement.
The proposed activities are linked to PTI’s preparations for the Islamabad long march and protest announced for September 27.
PTI Punjab leaders had previously invited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to visit the province and mobilize party workers. The party maintains that alleged action against its workers in Punjab has made organized protest activities necessary.
Police Custody and Release at Lakshmi Chowk
Protests were also reported in Lahore against the alleged arrests of PTI leaders during the day’s political activities.
Some reports and videos showed Sohail Afridi sitting in a police van. According to available reports, he was taken into police custody amid the tense situation.
He was later reportedly dropped off at Lakshmi Chowk, where he got out of the police van.
However, different claims have emerged regarding the exact nature of the incident. The available information does not establish the legal status of the reported custody or provide complete details of the police action.
Punjab Government’s Response
Punjab government representatives, including Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, criticized PTI’s protest over the death of Ishtiaq Ahmad.
The provincial government described the protest as a political stunt and maintained that the worker’s death was the result of an accident.
Government representatives also accused PTI of following what they described as its longstanding practice of politicizing deaths.
Security Arrangements in Punjab
Security arrangements remained strict during Sohail Afridi’s visit to Lahore. Available reports indicated that restrictions on public gatherings were also in place in Punjab.
The heightened security measures came amid preparations for PTI’s planned September 27 protest and an increase in political activity.
PTI has maintained that it will not withdraw from peaceful and constitutional protest, while the government has expressed concerns regarding public order and the impact of protest activities.
Note: The circumstances surrounding Ishtiaq Ahmad’s death, the allegations of police action and the reported detention of Sohail Afridi have not been independently verified in this report.
