Short-Lived Sit-In in Rawalpindi
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sohail Afridi, briefly led a protest sit-in in Rawalpindi on Thursday before calling it off within hours. The demonstration took place at the Dhagal checkpoint on Adiala Road, close to Adiala Jail, where Afridi was joined by senior political figures including Junaid Akbar and Salman Akram Raja. Earlier, the chief minister had also been briefly stopped near Adiala Jail.
According to eyewitnesses, dozens of supporters gathered at the site, chanting slogans and holding party flags. The protest caused temporary traffic congestion along Adiala Road, one of the city’s key routes linking residential areas with central Rawalpindi.
Governor’s Intervention and End of Protest
Sources close to the KP government said Governor Faisal Karim Kundi advised the chief minister to end the sit-in. Following a brief consultation, Sohail Afridi announced the conclusion of the protest, urging participants to disperse peacefully.
Soon after, Rawalpindi police reopened the road to commuters. Authorities confirmed that traffic flow had returned to normal and no untoward incidents were reported during the event.
Political Context
Although the precise reasons behind the sit-in were not officially stated, analysts believe it was linked to ongoing political tensions between the provincial and federal administrations. Such demonstrations have become more common in Pakistan’s current political climate, where provincial leaders often express frustration over governance and funding issues.
Public protests in Rawalpindi — the city that hosts Pakistan’s military headquarters — often draw significant attention. However, this particular sit-in remained peaceful and short-lived, reflecting a controlled approach by both the provincial leadership and local authorities.
Situation Returns to Normal
By evening, the area around Adiala Road had fully reopened. Police confirmed that all security measures had been lifted and routine traffic had resumed. Local residents expressed relief at the quick resolution, with one commuter noting that it was good to see both sides act responsibly before the situation escalated.
The brief protest underscored ongoing political pressures within Pakistan’s provinces but also highlighted the importance of maintaining calm amid a charged political environment.
