Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has confirmed that former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi and several members of his cabinet have been taken into preventive custody following the imposition of emergency rule and governor’s rule in the province.

“Yes, I can confirm that the chief minister (Sohail Afridi) and some of his cabinet members have been taken into preventive custody,” Chaudhry told Reuters on Monday.

He said the detentions took place on Sunday and added that those facing cases would be charged and tried, while others would be released.

The confirmation came a day after Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan claimed that Afridi had been arrested and urged people across the province to gather in Peshawar. At the time, no government official had publicly confirmed his detention.

The deputy inspector general of police in Peshawar had earlier said Afridi remained in protective custody. According to the police official, eight senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders had been taken into protective custody following the introduction of emergency measures and governor’s rule.

Those detained reportedly included Afridi, PTI........

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