The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution denouncing an incident involving Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in Lahore, where he was seen inside a Punjab police vehicle following a confrontation related to the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers. Afridi later accused the Punjab government of abducting him and abandoning him on the roadside without security.

Addressing the assembly, Afridi claimed he was forcibly taken and left vulnerable after being separated from his security detail. The resolution, introduced by provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, stated that Afridi had been compelled into the police vehicle, isolated from his protection, and subsequently left without any security arrangements. It characterized this treatment as violating Articles 4, 9, and 25 of the Constitution and called for legal action against those responsible.

Passed by a majority vote, the resolution demanded accountability for the officials involved and emphasized that political disputes must not compromise the constitutional rights and safety of elected representatives. The incident occurred on Monday during Afridi’s visit to Lahore to express condolences to the family of PTI activist Ishtiaq Ahmad, who died from burn injuries sustained during what PTI described as a police raid.

Afridi had altered his original Punjab tour plans and traveled with senior PTI figures, including party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Punjab Assembly opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar. The area was heavily secured with police barricades and deployment, justified by authorities citing security concerns and a ban on large gatherings.

The situation escalated after police detained PTI Lahore president Mian Akram Usman, vice-president Naeemullah Taj, and other party members. A senior KP official accompanying Afridi explained that the chief minister entered a police van to negotiate the release of detained workers. Some were freed, but others remained in custody, prompting Afridi to refuse to exit the vehicle. The police then moved the van before eventually removing Afridi.

Videos circulating on social media showed Afridi entering the police vehicle and resisting calls to leave. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that Afridi entered the vehicle voluntarily and denied any arrest or abduction claims. She explained that PTI supporters surrounded the vehicle, causing the driver to move it for safety. The vehicle stopped shortly after, and Afridi along with others exited and sat on a footpath, which Bokhari described as a “drama.” However, Afridi disputed this version, asserting that he and others were abducted and later abandoned without security.

“We were abducted, and then, when they received pressure from somewhere, they threw me by the roadside without security and left,” Afridi said. He alleged a conspiracy to abduct a sitting chief minister, warning that the incident could worsen inter-provincial tensions.

The visit was prompted by the death of PTI activist Ishtiaq Ahmad, who suffered fatal burn injuries during Eid Miladun Nabi preparations. PTI accused Punjab police of causing Ahmad’s injuries when he fell into a vat of boiling oil amid a police raid. Despite medical treatment, Ahmad succumbed to his injuries. Afridi blamed the Punjab government and police for Ahmad’s death and declined security offered by Punjab authorities, insisting he came as a private citizen.

Throughout Afridi’s visit, his convoy encountered police blockades, and confrontations between PTI supporters and law enforcement resulted in multiple arrests. More than a dozen PTI workers, including Mian Akram Usman and Naeemullah Taj, were detained after police sought to disperse crowds accompanying Afridi.

The Punjab Home Department had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, banning gatherings of five or more people until September 17. The order prohibited rallies, demonstrations, and the display of weapons, while allowing exceptions for weddings, funerals, and court proceedings.

This episode has further strained relations between the PTI-led KP government and Punjab authorities. KP Information Minister Shafi Jan accused Punjab police of separating Afridi from his security, transferring him to another vehicle, and leaving him unprotected. He condemned the treatment as an attack on the democratic mandate and constitutional rights of the KP chief minister.

The PTI condemned what it termed Afridi’s “arrest,” warning the incident could deepen resentment and mistrust between the provinces. The party urged supporters to respond peacefully and within democratic norms. Punjab officials, however, rejected these allegations. Bokhari reiterated there was no arrest and shared footage purportedly showing Afridi voluntarily boarding the police vehicle despite requests to disembark.

Following the incident, Afridi continued his Lahore engagements, traveling with supporters through several city areas and visiting Data Darbar before heading to the Lahore High Court. His convoy caused significant traffic disruptions in various parts of the city, including Mall Road, Lower Mall Road, Regal Chowk, GPO Chowk, Circular Road, and the Walled City.

Afridi also announced that PTI’s campaign would proceed with a planned protest on September 27, affirming that the party’s struggle would remain within constitutional and legal boundaries.