Minister Attaullah Tarar says Sohail Afridi in protective custody

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said Sohail Afridi is in protective custody and has not been arrested, adding the status of the provincial assembly has been suspended. Speaking on Dunya News programme 'TONIGHT WITH SAMAR ABBAS', Tarar alleged that there was evidence linking certain individuals to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He accused Afridi of visiting various locations and holding discussions with militants to look after their associates, alleging that such actions put people's lives at risk for political objectives. The federal minister also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's handling of terrorism, claiming that the provincial administration had failed to take the issue seriously. Tarar further alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers had planned to set fire to and vandalise the Governor House, but said the public did not turn out for the alleged plan. He claimed that Shafi Jan had also fled and that no one remained to lead the proposed long march. Describing Afridi as politically weak, Tarar criticised his activities across the province. Regarding the provincial political situation, Tarar said the status of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had been suspended and ruled out the possibility of an in-house change. He said a new administrative setup would run the province, adding that Afridi's return was not under consideration. The minister also announced that a session of the National Assembly would be convened on Tuesday. He reiterated his criticism of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, accusing it of lacking seriousness and having questionable intentions in addressing terrorism. Tarar added that the government would make efforts to arrest individuals absconding in connection with the May 9 cases.