PESHAWAR:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has revealed that despite a court order permitting him to meet the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, he was stopped by a constable at the entrance of Adiala Jail.
Addressing members of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association, Afridi expressed frustration over being denied access, saying, “I went to Adiala Jail under court orders to meet Imran Khan, but a constable stopped me from entering.” The Chief Minister emphasized that his visit was not political but rather to seek policy guidance from the PTI founder regarding the province’s governance.
Afridi further clarified that he was not appointed but democratically elected as Chief Minister, asserting his loyalty to the rule of law and his political leadership. “I have heard rumors that I came here to influence the Bar Council elections. That is absolutely untrue. I am here only to stand for the rule of law,” he said, responding to speculation about his visit.
He detailed that he had already instructed the Home Department to send official letters to the Punjab and federal governments requesting permission for the meeting. In addition, he had submitted a formal application in court to secure approval for his visit. Despite these legal measures, he was still barred from entry by a lower-level jail officer.
Afridi’s account has sparked debate over the treatment of elected officials and the administrative protocols surrounding Imran Khan’s imprisonment. Legal experts and PTI supporters have criticized the incident, calling it a violation of a judicial directive.
“It is ironic that a sitting provincial Chief Minister, acting under a court order, can be stopped by a constable from fulfilling his official and political responsibilities,” remarked one senior lawyer at the Peshawar High Court.
The Chief Minister reiterated his respect for legal institutions and due process, emphasizing that his government would continue to function according to constitutional principles. “We are committed to ensuring good governance and upholding the rule of law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between PTI’s provincial leadership and federal authorities regarding access to the party founder, who remains imprisoned at Adiala Jail following multiple legal cases.
Observers note that Afridi’s insistence on meeting Imran Khan reflects PTI’s internal efforts to maintain strategic coordination between party leadership in jail and the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Political analysts suggest that the episode could become a symbolic moment in PTI’s narrative of institutional resistance and administrative hurdles faced by its elected representatives.
As of now, there has been no official response from Punjab’s Home Department or the Adiala Jail administration regarding why the Chief Minister was prevented from meeting the PTI founder despite a court order.
