Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has accused the Punjab government of attempting to abduct him, a claim strongly denied by Punjab Police. The controversy arose after videos circulated on social media showing Afridi inside a Punjab Police van.

Following the incident, Afridi stated that he was forcibly taken and later abandoned on the roadside. He condemned the Punjab government, warning that they would be held accountable if any harm befell him while in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Lahore police officials refuted the allegations of arrest or detention. They explained that Afridi voluntarily entered the police van and that it moved forward due to security concerns. The Lahore police chief emphasized that the notion of Afridi being held in custody was inaccurate and assured that sufficient security measures were in place for the KP chief minister.

One video circulating online shows Afridi standing with his supporters and security personnel before entering the Punjab Police van. In the footage, a police officer is heard requesting Afridi to exit the vehicle, but he refuses. Shortly after, the van begins to move, with no police personnel visible inside alongside Afridi.

Another video captures Afridi seated inside the van with one of his aides and two security guards. The aide filming the clip shouts that the chief minister has been abducted, although Afridi appears to be smiling.

KP Information Minister Shafi Jan also challenged the Punjab Police’s account, questioning how Afridi arrived at the location if he had not been arrested. He alleged an abduction attempt, stating that KP supporters followed the vehicle and faced pressure, which led to Afridi being released when the supporters reached the scene.

On the other hand, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari dismissed the episode as “another drama.” She asserted that Afridi willingly entered the police van and repeatedly refused police requests to exit. Bukhari further claimed that Afridi instructed his security guards to step back when they tried to intervene.