KP CM Afridi once again unable to meet Imran, IHC chief justice Azad News HD
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi Says He Was Denied Meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail
ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI, Thursday:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that he was unable to meet Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier in the day and was later denied permission to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
Afridi’s remarks came during an informal media talk outside the Adiala Jail gates, where a crowd of reporters, PTI supporters, and provincial government officials had gathered in anticipation of his meeting with the incarcerated PTI leader. The Chief Minister described the day’s events as “deeply disappointing,” saying that both his attempts — to pay a courtesy visit to the IHC Chief Justice and to meet Imran Khan — were unsuccessful.
Afridi’s Statement Outside Adiala Jail
Speaking to journalists, Chief Minister Afridi said that he had traveled from Peshawar to Islamabad with the intention of holding two important meetings: first with the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, to discuss administrative cooperation regarding legal reforms and prison conditions; and second, to meet Imran Khan, who has been lodged at Adiala Jail since his conviction in several ongoing corruption and state secrets cases.
“I had formally requested meetings through proper channels,” Afridi said, addressing the media. “But today, I was neither able to meet the honourable Chief Justice nor permitted to meet my party’s founder. I was told that no approval had been granted for a meeting at the jail.”
Afridi maintained that his visit was purely official and respectful, emphasizing that he wished to discuss political stability, prison reforms, and coordination between the provincial and federal governments.
“I represent the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added. “Meeting the founder of our party is not only my right but also part of my responsibility to remain aligned with our political vision.”
Security and Administrative Restrictions
Sources within the Islamabad administration told reporters that the Chief Minister’s meeting requests had been received but no official clearance was issued due to procedural requirements and ongoing security protocols.
At Adiala Jail, a heavy contingent of Punjab Police and jail security personnel was deployed, and the premises were sealed off for routine operations. The jail superintendent reportedly informed the Chief Minister’s staff that visitation rules required prior approval from the Home Department of Punjab, especially for political figures or public officials visiting prisoners involved in high-profile cases.
According to the jail authorities, only family members, lawyers, or court-approved visitors are permitted to meet inmates facing sensitive cases. Officials cited security sensitivities surrounding Imran Khan’s imprisonment, noting that the former prime minister remains a “high-risk detainee.”
A senior Punjab government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“Mr. Afridi’s position as a sitting chief minister does not automatically entitle him to visit prisoners in Punjab’s jurisdiction. There are established legal channels that must be followed.”
Political Context and Tensions
Afridi’s unsuccessful attempt to meet Imran Khan has once again highlighted the widening gulf between the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the federal authorities in Islamabad, particularly over the issue of access to the party founder.
Since taking office as Chief Minister earlier this year, Sohail Afridi has positioned himself as a loyalist of Imran Khan, often reiterating that his government in KP functions under Khan’s ideological guidance. However, multiple reports have surfaced of federal agencies restricting communication between the PTI founder and his party leadership outside prison.
The PTI has repeatedly accused the federal government of “isolating” Imran Khan to weaken internal party coordination. In recent months, several senior PTI leaders, including Gohar Ali Khan, Barrister Ali Zafar, and Asad Qaiser, have complained about similar difficulties in obtaining meeting permissions at Adiala Jail.
Afridi’s statement now adds further weight to the party’s claim that access to Khan is being systematically curtailed under the pretext of administrative regulations.
Background: Imran Khan’s Incarceration and Legal Challenges
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since his conviction in multiple cases related to the Toshakhana reference, the cipher case, and several other ongoing trials involving charges of corruption and state secrecy violations.
The cipher case, in particular, has drawn international attention, as Khan claims that his 2022 ouster from power was linked to an alleged U.S.-backed conspiracy — a charge Washington denies. The case, tried under the Official Secrets Act, involves classified diplomatic correspondence that Khan is accused of mishandling.
Khan’s legal team has been fighting on several fronts, seeking bail and relief through appellate courts, while simultaneously accusing the government of political victimization. The PTI maintains that Khan’s imprisonment is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the party’s political influence ahead of the next general elections.
Given this backdrop, Chief Minister Afridi’s attempted meeting was seen by analysts as an effort to reaffirm PTI’s internal unity and to receive strategic direction from the party founder.
IHC Chief Justice Meeting Deferred
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Afridi had sought an appointment with Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court to discuss matters related to judicial cooperation, reforms in case management systems, and provincial coordination on prisoner rights.
However, court sources told journalists that the Chief Justice’s official schedule was preoccupied, and no formal meeting had been approved for the day. Afridi’s request, they said, would be considered in the coming week through the proper channels.
Afridi expressed regret over the situation, saying:
“I hold the judiciary in the highest esteem. My request was purely professional and respectful. If I could not meet the Chief Justice today, I will seek another opportunity in due course.”
Observers noted that Afridi’s attempt to meet the IHC Chief Justice — followed by his visit to Adiala — indicated a two-pronged strategy: to engage the judiciary institutionally and to reconnect politically with Imran Khan.
Reactions from PTI Leadership
Soon after the Chief Minister’s remarks, PTI leaders in both Islamabad and Peshawar issued strong statements criticizing the restrictions placed on party communication.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI’s chairman, said that denying the KP Chief Minister access to Imran Khan was “an insult to constitutional office.”
“Sohail Afridi is not just a political ally — he is the elected Chief Minister of a province representing millions of Pakistanis. Denying him the right to meet his party’s founder, who is also the former prime minister, is against democratic norms,”
Gohar said in a press statement.
PTI spokesperson Rauf Hassan accused the federal government of “weaponizing the prison system” to isolate the party’s leadership.
“The entire country knows that Imran Khan’s imprisonment is politically motivated. Now, by stopping the KP Chief Minister at the gate, they have proven that this is not about law — it’s about control,”
Hassan stated.
Federal Response and Official Clarification
In response, officials from the Ministry of Interior rejected the accusations, saying that all visitation rules at Adiala Jail are being strictly enforced for security reasons.
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said:
“There is no political discrimination. Every visitor, regardless of their position, must obtain prior approval from the Home Department. The rules apply equally to all.”
The spokesperson added that Chief Minister Afridi’s office had sent a last-minute request that could not be accommodated on short notice.
“The Adiala facility currently houses several high-profile inmates. For security coordination, such visits require 48-hour advance notice. The Chief Minister’s visit, although official, did not fulfill this requirement,”
the statement read.
Legal Experts’ Opinions
Legal analysts have offered divided interpretations of the situation.
Prominent lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan said that while the jail authorities technically acted within the law, they could have shown administrative flexibility given the Chief Minister’s position.
“There’s nothing in the Prison Rules that forbids a meeting with a Chief Minister, provided it’s properly recorded. This incident reflects more of a trust deficit than a legal violation,”
Ahsan observed.
Constitutional expert Faisal Siddiqi, however, argued that provincial executives have no authority in another province’s jurisdiction, and such restrictions are justified under prison administration rules.
“Adiala Jail falls under Punjab’s authority. The KP Chief Minister, in his official capacity, has no standing to demand a meeting without coordination through federal or Punjab Home Departments,”
Siddiqi said.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
News of Afridi’s denied meeting spread rapidly across national and social media platforms, dominating talk shows and political commentary segments throughout the evening. PTI supporters condemned what they called “deliberate humiliation” of a sitting chief minister, while government sympathizers argued that Afridi’s visit was a political stunt aimed at gaining public sympathy.
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags such as #SohailAfridi, #AdialaJail, and #LetAfridiMeetKhan trended nationwide. Thousands of PTI supporters shared clips of Afridi speaking to reporters outside the jail, hailing him as a “loyal soldier of Khan.”
Analysts on major TV networks, however, offered a more cautious interpretation. Veteran journalist Hamid Mir noted that the incident symbolizes the deep institutional polarization gripping Pakistan.
“When a sitting chief minister cannot meet his party leader, it tells us that politics is now being conducted through administrative barricades,”
Mir remarked during a talk show.
Wider Political Implications
The episode has added another layer of complexity to Pakistan’s already volatile political landscape. Relations between PTI’s KP government and the federal coalition remain tense over issues such as resource allocation, law enforcement coordination, and political victimization claims.
Afridi’s strong public statements are being interpreted by analysts as a signal of defiance and a message of solidarity with Imran Khan. The PTI leadership has indicated that the Chief Minister’s next steps could include filing a formal protest with the Punjab government or raising the matter in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Political scientist Dr. Hassan Askari Rizvi commented:
“Afridi’s move is symbolic but significant. It shows that PTI is not backing down despite institutional pressure. At the same time, it exposes how divided the federation is when provincial leaders can’t even engage with federal institutions.”
Afridi’s Broader Political Image
Since assuming office, Chief Minister Afridi has sought to balance administrative governance in KP with political loyalty to the PTI founder. He has visited several districts to oversee developmental projects, yet consistently frames his government’s policies as part of Imran Khan’s vision for “Naya Pakistan.”
Afridi’s public demeanor — calm but firm — has earned him both praise and criticism. Supporters see him as a symbol of party unity, while detractors argue that his frequent references to Khan signal a lack of independent leadership.
Thursday’s incident, however, may further elevate his political stature within PTI’s ranks, positioning him as the most vocal advocate of Khan’s release among serving officials.
Calls for Dialogue and Institutional Harmony
Several civil society groups and political commentators have urged both federal and provincial authorities to de-escalate tensions and respect institutional boundaries.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in a brief statement said that while the law should be followed, transparency and fairness in the treatment of political detainees are crucial.
“The denial of access to political representatives can fuel unnecessary polarization. The government should ensure that legitimate visits are processed efficiently,”
the HRCP said.
Similarly, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) called for clear visitation guidelines applicable to all political prisoners, to prevent allegations of discrimination.
Conclusion
The events of Thursday highlight the deepening mistrust between Pakistan’s political leadership and its administrative institutions. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s failed attempts to meet both the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court and Imran Khan at Adiala Jail underscore the current fragility of inter-institutional coordination in the country.
While jail authorities and the Interior Ministry defend their stance on procedural grounds, the optics of denying a sitting provincial chief minister access to his party’s founder have sparked a national debate about the balance between legality, protocol, and political fairness.
