Criticising the government’s economic policies, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said major industries were leaving Pakistan, and economic growth was on the decline, accusing the ruling coalition of abandoning earlier claims of austerity.

“Those who once spoke of selling their clothes to repay loans have now sold Pakistan International Airlines,” Afridi said while addressing a press conference at the Punjab Assembly on Friday.

The KP chief minister alleged political victimisation and police misconduct, claiming that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and parliamentarians were subjected to rude behaviour and arrests at the Chakri Interchange while travelling to Lahore.

He accused the federal government of imposing decisions behind closed doors and said Pakistanis were increasingly feeling insecure about the country’s future.

CM Afridi described the prevailing situation as “fascist behaviour” directed against his party.

He warned that the country could not function if state priorities remained focused on pressuring and intimidating the PTI founder, Imran Khan.

“If the priority is to bend and frighten our leader [Imran Khan], the country will not move forward,” he said.

He also criticised restrictions on meetings with the incarcerated PTI founder, calling them politically motivated, and said economic decline and political instability were driving investors and industries out of the country.

CM Afridi said he had come to Lahore to meet party organisational leaders and PTI lawmakers.

“I will leave Lahore with such civility that they may learn something about ethics,” he remarked.

The press conference followed CM Afridi’s arrival in Lahore earlier in the day, where he is scheduled to meet PTI leaders, journalists, and student delegations during his visit.

Ahead of the visit, the Punjab government issued a notification for foolproof security arrangements.

The Punjab Home Department directed the police and relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive security for the KP chief minister during his stay from Friday to Sunday (December 26 to 28).

According to the notification, the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, the Capital City Police Officer Lahore, and the Special Branch were instructed to implement special security measures.

The Lahore district administration was tasked with coordinating the visit, while the Punjab Police was assigned full responsibility for the chief minister’s residence, travel, and movement.

Officials said CK Afridi is also expected to visit Kot Lakhpat Jail to meet detained PTI workers.

Authorities were directed to take strict measures to prevent any untoward incident during the visit.