Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have confirmed taking eight Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Babar Saleem Swati, Junaid Akbar and Ali Amin Gandapur, into protective custody following the imposition of emergency rule and governor’s rule in the province.
According to police sources, the leaders have been taken into custody for their own protection and in view of the law and order situation. Police officials maintain that no political leader has been formally arrested so far.
PTI Claims Arrest of Chief Minister
In contrast, PTI Deputy Information Secretary Ikram Khattana has claimed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was arrested and moved to an undisclosed location.
He also claimed that provincial party president Junaid Akbar, Provincial Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and Member of the National Assembly Shahid Khattak, along with several other senior party leaders, had been taken into custody.
Emergency and Governor’s Rule in KP
The developments follow the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
According to the information provided, the provincial cabinet has been dissolved, and administrative affairs have been placed under a caretaker arrangement.
The police position that no formal arrests have been made remains at odds with the PTI’s claims that several of its senior leaders have been arrested.
