PTI long march reaches CM's hometown in Khyber

Afridi calls for supremacy of Constitution, rule of law and protection of fundamental rights K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressing participants of the protest at University Chowk in Kohat on the third day of the march on Tuesday. SCREENGRAB PTI/X KHYBER: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march entered its fourth day on Wednesday, reaching Shalobar in Bara tehsil of Khyber district, the hometown of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, where local elders, tribal leaders and youth accorded a warm welcome to the chief minister and participants of the march. Addressing the participants at Basee Baba Chowk, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said Pakistan belonged to all its citizens and stressed that Pakhtuns had always rendered sacrifices for the country and would continue to play their role in safeguarding its security and stability. He said the PTI would continue its political and democratic struggle for the release of party founder Imran Khan. Despite political differences, he added, the security, unity and stability of Pakistan were a collective responsibility of all citizens. The chief minister called for ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and law, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press and protection of the rights of political workers. Criticising the government, Afridi alleged that the prevailing political leadership was contributing to division and tension in the country and that constitutional and judicial orders were not being implemented. He said Pakistan did not belong to any particular family or class but to every citizen, whose constitutional rights must be protected by the state and all institutions. Afridi urged lawyers, judges, journalists, students and young people, as well as members of other sections of society, to play their role in a peaceful and democratic struggle for the protection of the Constitution, law, freedom and fundamental rights. He said constitutional supremacy and the rule of law were essential foundations for political and social stability in the country. Giving details of the march's next phase, the chief minister said participants would stay overnight at Shalobar D Road after completion of the fourth day's activities. The caravan would leave for Peshawar the following day as part of its onward journey.