KP pen-down strike: Pakistan's centre-province tensions hit historic high
In a first in Pakistan's history, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government observed a complete pen-down strike on Wednesday, 7 May, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi leading the protest against federal policies. Political analysts have described the move as a sharp escalation in centre-province tensions, with no formal response yet from the federal government in Islamabad.
What the Strike Entailed
The day-long action halted all non-emergency official work across the province. Offices remained open, but no documents were signed, no files were moved, and only emergency services continued to function. Chief Minister Afridi had announced the strike earlier in the week, urging all provincial departments to suspend routine paperwork and join what he described as a
