Police Block Former KP CM’s Swabi Meeting Amid Crackdown

Police action in Swabi has intensified after governor’s rule and emergency measures came into force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with authorities moving to prevent a planned political gathering by workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. The planned meeting was expected to take place in the Shewa Adda area of Razaar tehsil, where party workers had been asked to assemble on Sunday evening.

Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi was expected to address supporters at the venue, but the gathering could not proceed after the security situation changed across the province. Officials and local sources said police moved into different areas to stop workers from reaching the planned meeting point and to prevent any large-scale political mobilisation.

The crackdown began soon after the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in the province. Police teams conducted raids in various localities to detain or disperse workers associated with the planned event. The action reflected the authorities’ broader effort to keep political activity under tight control at a moment of heightened tension in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Despite the restrictions, some party leaders reportedly instructed workers to gather at Razaar Sports Complex in Shewa Adda. That prompted police to expand patrolling around the area and nearby routes. Security personnel were deployed to monitor movement, discourage assembly, and respond quickly if supporters attempted to converge at the site.

A heavy police presence was also reported at Karnal Sher Khan Chowk in the district headquarters, a key public point where officials anticipated possible protests. Additional deployment was made around the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway, suggesting that authorities were also watching major routes that could be used by workers travelling from surrounding districts.

The episode comes as political activity linked to the former provincial ruling party faces mounting pressure following the federal decision to place the province under emergency administration. Supporters have criticised the move, while the authorities argue that the extraordinary steps are necessary to manage law and order.

For residents in Swabi and nearby areas, the immediate result was a tense day marked by raids, patrols and uncertainty over whether workers would still attempt to gather. The situation also underlined how quickly local political events are being reshaped by the province-wide emergency framework.

The blocked meeting is likely to feed into a wider political confrontation over the future of governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With police deployments continuing and party workers facing restrictions, further attempts at mobilisation could bring more flashpoints in the coming days.