PESHAWAR: Former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai was offloaded at Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar, preventing him from boarding a flight for the purpose of performing Umrah.
The incident occurred despite Yousafzai having obtained clearance from various authorities, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Expressing his dismay in a video message, the former minister questioned the undisclosed reasons behind his offloading, particularly when he had received clearance from relevant institutions.
Shaukat Yousafzai emphasized that neither his name is on the Exit Control List (ECL) nor is there any First Information Report (FIR) registered against him. He asserted his consistent adherence to democratic norms and respect for state institutions throughout his political career.
Expressing his bewilderment, Yousafzai highlighted that the offloading occurred despite the clearance process, raising questions about the transparency of the decision-making. He disclosed that his boarding pass was confiscated, and he was unaware of the individuals responsible for the decision.
The PTI leader, who served as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October 2018 to January 2023, had also held the position of minister for health and information in the Pervez Khattak administration. The incident has sparked intrigue and speculation, prompting Yousafzai to seek clarification on the circumstances surrounding his offloading at the airport.
The development adds a layer of uncertainty to the situation, as Yousafzai had planned to travel for a week to perform Umrah, a religious pilgrimage. The PTI leader’s video message raises concerns about the transparency and reasons behind the decision to bar him from the scheduled flight.
