ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, visited Adiala Jail on Thursday to meet with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, following a directive from the Islamabad High Court.
However, despite the court’s clear permission, Afridi was denied access to his party leader.
Addressing the media outside the prison, a visibly frustrated Afridi condemned the refusal, saying, “The failure to implement a clear court order is not a reflection of my weakness, but of the judiciary’s helplessness.” He further questioned the state of justice in the country, highlighting that such incidents undermine the rule of law and judicial authority.
The Chief Minister explained that the purpose of his visit was purely constitutional, aimed at seeking guidance from Imran Khan on important governance matters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “For the past two years, I have not been able to meet with my leader. This meeting was crucial for aligning our policies with Imran Khan’s vision,” Afridi said.
Afridi also revealed that he had exhausted all legal and administrative avenues before approaching the Islamabad High Court, including communications with the Punjab Home Department, the Federal Government, and even the Chief Justice. “I followed every legal channel, but unfortunately, my visit was blocked,” he added.
Reaffirming his allegiance to PTI and Imran Khan, Afridi stated, “I am not just the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; I am a worker of PTI. I will implement any instructions from Imran Khan in letter and spirit.” He stressed that the mandate of the province belonged to Imran Khan and that no decisions regarding the provincial cabinet would be made without his guidance.
Afridi also addressed key regional and national issues during his press conference. He reiterated the importance of fostering strong ties with Afghanistan, emphasizing mutual respect, peace, and economic cooperation between the neighboring countries. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shares deep historical and cultural ties with Afghanistan, and we believe in regional prosperity. However, we will not allow decisions about our province to be made behind closed doors,” he declared.
Turning to security concerns, Afridi expressed his belief that military operations alone could not resolve terrorism. He cited the ongoing security challenges despite multiple military campaigns and argued that only the policy championed by Imran Khan would bring sustainable peace to the region.
The Chief Minister also took the federal government to task for withholding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s financial dues, specifically the share of the erstwhile FATA region in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. He demanded the immediate release of nearly 3000 billion rupees owed to the province, citing the promised post-merger development budget. “Our rightful share must be released immediately,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Afridi criticized the federal government for providing outdated and unfit police vehicles to the province, calling them “scrap.” He emphasized that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force deserved modern, functional equipment. “We have already allocated substantial resources for police infrastructure, capacity building, and the purchase of new bulletproof vehicles,” he said.
In a final statement, Afridi made it clear that he would continue to seek justice for his province and its people. “The real justice will come from the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I will present the truth to them, and they will give their verdict,” he concluded.
The denial of a meeting between Chief Minister Afridi and Imran Khan has sparked further tensions between the provincial leadership and the federal government, raising questions about the autonomy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its future under PTI’s guidance. With Afridi’s strong words against both the judiciary and federal authorities, the political landscape in the province seems set for a more contentious phase in the coming months.
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