KP Announces Pen-Down Strike Over ‘Unfair’ Federal Policies

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a province-wide pen-down strike for Wednesday, May 6, in protest against what it describes as biased and unfair treatment by the federal government.

According to the provincial government, the strike is being organized to oppose federal policies that it considers discriminatory toward KP.

The protest will take place across the province, with all government offices expected to participate, while emergency services will remain operational and unaffected.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, stated that the federal government is treating the province unfairly in key areas, including the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, electricity, and gas distribution.

He further claimed that KP is being deliberately targeted because it is governed by the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Afridi said the federal government is intentionally creating difficulties for the province due to its political affiliation.

The chief minister also criticized the federal government’s treatment of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, describing the denial of access to personal doctors, family members, and legal counsel as illegal and a violation of basic human rights.

Afridi urged lawyers who believe in upholding the Constitution and the rule of law to actively participate in the strike.