Peshawar( The COW News Digital)The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally approached the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after prison authorities reportedly denied Chief Minister Sohail Afridi a meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
According to official sources, the KP government submitted a petition through Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel and simultaneously addressed a letter to the Chief Justice, seeking directions to the Ministry of Interior and the jail superintendent to permit the meeting.
In its letter, the provincial government emphasized that CM Sohail Afridi’s meeting with Imran Khan is constitutionally and politically significant, as the newly elected chief minister must consult the PTI founder on key governance and administrative decisions. The letter argued that this communication is essential for the formation of the provincial cabinet and for seeking guidance on major interprovincial matters.
The letter further highlighted that, following Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation as KP chief minister, Sohail Afridi was elected to lead the province and is now responsible for handling crucial governance issues. “It is both a constitutional and moral necessity for the chief minister to consult the PTI founder on policy direction,” the letter stated.
Citing urgent governance matters, the KP government pointed out that ongoing issues such as Punjab’s restriction on wheat transport to KP and coordination with federal departments require the PTI founder’s guidance. The government contended that denying the meeting hinders administrative efficiency and violates democratic norms.
Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel confirmed that both a petition and an official letter have been submitted. “The Chief Minister has already written to the Ministry of Interior, the Home Secretary, and the Punjab government. Now, we have approached the judiciary to ensure that a lawful and supervised meeting is permitted,” Utmankhel said.
The KP government requested that the court issue directions allowing CM Sohail Afridi to meet Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail under official supervision, ensuring transparency and compliance with legal protocols.
The Islamabad High Court is expected to take up the petition in the coming days, while the Supreme Court may also review the provincial government’s appeal if the issue is not resolved administratively.
