PTI defends MNA Iqbal Afridi’s son over asylum move, assails govt’s ‘oppression’

ISLAMABAD: PTI on Thursday defended MNA Iqbal Afridi’s son, who surrendered his passport and sought asylum in a European country, saying he had no other option left to prevent detention and harassment.

The matter came to light during a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, where State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry alleged that MNA Iqbal Afridi’s son had sought asylum in Italy.

The minister had alleged that the young man held a diplomatic passport, and proceeded to Italy via a European nation that does not require Pakistanis who hold official passports to obtain a visa before arrival.

Talking to Dawn, Sheikh Waqas Akram, the information secretary of PTI, said he had personally spoken to Afridi about the issue.

“Afridi’s son is 28-year-old so he does not carry a diplomatic passport. According to rules, only dependents, which include children below 18 years and spouses of MNAs, can carry a diplomatic passport,” he said.

Waqas further claimed that Afridi’s son travelled to at least four countries and finally reached Italy.

“Afridi cannot be held accountable for the decision made by his 28-year-old son,” he said.

“Moreover, it is a fact that whenever ‘they’ came to arrest Afridi, they would pick up his son. His son had no option left but to leave the country. They should reflect and feel ashamed that people are leaving Pakistan and seeking political asylum,” Waqas said.

Meanwhile, in a video message on X, Afridi said that his son had previously been abducted and that authorities had also raided his home several times.

“My son was compelled to leave the country,” he said, adding, “When these institutions and the government treat youngsters like this — not allowing him to speak the truth and not letting him post anything in support of his leader — then what will they do?”

He lamented that no one wants his son to be separated from him. “My son has been separated from me for life; they should be sympathising with me instead of criticising me,” he said.

He also revealed that about 40–50 days ago, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq contacted PTI leaders. “The speaker asked me about my son. I said he is independent and that fear was the reason for his leaving the country.”

“When I asked the speaker what I could do, he replied, ‘You should not speak against the government and institutions,’” Afridi said.

“My son left due to oppression,” he said.

“We didn’t come to Pakistan from India; our ancestors were living in Pakistan before its foundation. Being loyal to Pakistan and the struggle for the rule of law and the Constitution is our only mission,” he added.