PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai became emotional on Wednesday while responding to criticism and allegations of disloyalty after he suggested postponing the party’s October 4 long march towards Islamabad.
Yousafzai had written to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other senior party leaders urging them to reconsider the timing of the protest, citing security concerns and what he described as the risk of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
His proposal, however, was rejected by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who reiterated that the October 4 march would proceed. Afridi said he had not received Yousafzai’s letter and remarked that if it reached him, he would throw it away.
Responding to Afridi’s remarks, Yousafzai said he had been hurt by the chief minister’s reaction.
“I was not expecting that from Sohail Afridi. He is my younger brother,” Yousafzai said, adding that when Afridi announced the October 4 march, he had made clear that he would be among the first to participate.
Yousafzai said his suggestion had been motivated by concern for party workers and the prevailing security situation rather than opposition to PTI’s political campaign.
He expressed regret over criticism directed at him on social media, saying his long association and commitment to PTI had been questioned merely because he proposed delaying the protest. He said some critics had portrayed him as a “traitor” or suggested that he had been “bought off”.
The PTI leader recalled the difficulties faced by party leaders and workers following the May 9, 2023 unrest, saying accusations questioning his loyalty were particularly painful.
Yousafzai also criticised some social media activists, arguing that their conduct was damaging the party.
Despite the controversy, he categorically rejected speculation that he might leave PTI, saying there was “no question” of him quitting the party.
The disagreement comes as PTI prepares for its planned October 4 march towards Islamabad. The protest was originally scheduled for September 27 before being postponed, with Afridi subsequently announcing the new date.
