PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader and MNA Sher Ali Arbab on Tuesday called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to order an inquiry into the “detention and harassment” of provincial ministers, lawmakers and party workers.

Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club, Mr Arbab said a “historic long march” on Islamabad would be held on Sept 27 but doors for negotiations should not be closed.

He claimed that provincial minister Shakil Khan had informed him that unidentified vehicles had followed his convoy but an FIR had not yet been registered despite a request.

The PTI leader alleged that provincial minister Fatah Khan was detained near a toll plaza but it was not clear which institution had taken him into custody. He also claimed that PTI district committee secretary Razo and the general secretary of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, Peshawar, had been detained by unidentified persons.

Arbab calls for govt probe into arrest of lawmakers

“These incidents appear to be part of a plan to make it difficult for political workers to continue their activities,” he said.

Mr Arbab said the PTI government in the province was responsible for protecting its ministers and lawmakers, so it should take effective measures to maintain its writ.

He demanded a transparent investigation into all such incidents and said the demands of workers regarding the Sept 27 march on Islamabad should be heard and met.

The lawmaker, however, said the option of holding negotiations with authorities should remain open.

He said protesting was a constitutional and legal right, but claimed that PTI did not want to block roads, damage public property or cause inconvenience to citizens.

“If the roads and highways remain open, our workers will hold a peaceful protest,” he said, adding that the PTI’s political struggle will continue until its founder Imran Khan is released from jail.

Mr Arbab said the PTI leadership had directed workers to remain completely peaceful.

He said that the protest strategy would be different this time around as political workers would remain on the forefront, while security personnel would stay behind them.

“Putting up containers and blocking roads is not the solution to the issues,” he said, adding that road closures adversely affected the provincial economy and common man.

The lawmaker also referred to the closure of the Torkham border crossing and other routes, saying that restrictions on movement and trade could create further difficulties, particularly by affecting the supply of food and other essential commodities.

He said his party was not seeking any NRO or special concession and instead, it wanted cases against Mr Khan and other leaders to be decided on merit.

Mr Arbab also criticised the detention of women under the Maintenance of Public Order law, claiming that some women without political affiliations had also been detained. He said several political workers had been arrested and that legal efforts were being made for their release.

The MNA claimed that his party had information about the individuals involved in unlawful actions against workers and that legal proceedings would be initiated against those found responsible.

Mr Arbab also acknowledged the sacrifices of the police and counter-terrorism department’s personnel in the fight against terrorism and said the sacrifices of security personnel should not be made part of political controversy.

“We pay tribute to the security personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the country,” he said.

The lawmaker said political differences should not lead to opponents being branded as traitors, supporters or opponents of state institutions.

He called for modern equipment and additional facilities for the police and CTD and stressed the need for improved coordination between the provincial government and security institutions in dealing with terrorism.

Mr Arbab also urged better coordination between the federal and provincial governments on security matters and called for political dialogue, along with other possible avenues, to address the issue of terrorism.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2026