RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced he will file a contempt of court petition after being denied a meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala jail.
Earlier, accompanied by PTI lawmakers and workers, Chief Minister Afridi arrived at Adiala jail on Tuesday to meet the former prime minister but was stopped by police at the Dahgal checkpoint. After waiting and speaking to the media, the delegation departed.
According to jail officials, only Imran’s sister, Uzma Khan, was permitted to meet him. His two other sisters, Aleema Khan and Naureen Khan, along with his cousin Qasim Khan, were stopped at the Factory Checkpoint.
Speaking to the media near the checkpoint, the chief minister stated, “We are submitting a contempt petition because the orders of three judges have been violated. The Supreme Court is not hearing the cases of our leaders. We urge the honourable judiciary to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and deliver justice. Our lawyers stand firmly with you.”
The chief minister also stressed the need for clarity on whether the country would be governed by the supremacy of the Constitution and law or by force. He claimed a constitutional crisis was looming following the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. He said judges had written letters complaining of interference in their judgments. “We are telling the judges that Pakistan is a democracy where the ultimate source of power is the people. The judges should name those who are interfering with their judicial decisions,” he asserted.
The KP CM regretted that cases involving his jailed leader and his spouse were not being scheduled for hearing and justice was being denied. Courts are giving decisions on the basis of someone’s directives. When he was asked why he has not formed his cabinet, Afridi said, “The real question is why I am being prevented from meeting my leader, even though the mandate of the people has vested this office in me?”
Referring to inter-provincial relations, Afridi said, “Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz did not congratulate me whereas the CM and Governor of Sindh, CM Balochistan and several others, congratulated me.” He said the Punjab CM is not releasing wheat for KP leading to shortage of the commodity.
Regarding the recent visit from the corps commander Peshawar, CM Afridi clarified it was an unofficial visit to facilitate him. He stated, “Our stance on the issues remains the same behind closed doors and in public,” adding that as chief executive, he meets with officers from all security agencies to discuss provincial affairs, but the stance of government remains aligned with PTI and Imran Khan.
Regarding Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, Afridi welcomed dialogue but lamented that his government and tribal elders were not consulted, despite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the province most directly affected by any outcome.
Meanwhile, the occasion was disrupted by minor scuffles amongst PTI workers in Rawalpindi. The unrest was triggered initially by an attempt from a worker from Dera Ismail Khan to meet Sohail Afridi, followed by further commotion over a video recording of the chief minister’s vehicle.
In a related development, Imran Khan has directed his party leadership to take the government to court for repeatedly blocking his visitors.
The message was delivered by his sister, Dr Uzma Khan, after she was the only one allowed to see Imran in Rawalpindi Jail on Tuesday. She was surrounded by other family members and party leaders were denied entry. “Even though a court has granted permission, the jail officials only let one person in — me,” Dr Uzma explained. “Imran has told the party to file a contempt of court case immediately for violating that order.”
The PTI founder also gave specific instructions for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He told Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to finally form his cabinet, to keep it small, and choose his own team. “Imran made it clear he hasn’t picked anyone for the job; the chief minister has his full trust to decide,” Uzma said. The former prime minister was reportedly happy to hear about a recent PTI rally. When told that the crowd was demanding a “Long March” of protest, “he just laughed,” his sister shared.
He also raised concerns about several political appointments, questioning why two of his old colleagues were removed from their posts without explanation. His final instruction was for his legal team to be relentless.
“He told them not to leave the High Court until they get a confirmed date for their hearing,” Dr Uzma said. Going forward, all official party messages will be communicated through lawyer Salman Akram Raja, Uzma told the media.