Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has approached the Supreme Court, filing a request to hold a meeting with the jailed founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan.
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the chief minister stated that he is bound by a “constitutional and moral obligation” to consult with the PTI founder, who also serves as the party’s patron-in-chief, at Adiala Jail. The purpose of the meeting is to seek guidance on the formation of the provincial cabinet.
Chief Minister Afridi, recently elected to the office, noted that he had already contacted the federal interior secretary and the Punjab home secretary to arrange a meeting with Imran Khan. He added that despite repeated communications and follow-ups, his request has not been granted.
Afridi—who succeeded Ali Amin Gandapur as chief minister this week—further explained that he requires the meeting to deliberate on issues pertaining to law and order, critical economic challenges, and policy matters affecting the province’s populace.
“There is a pressing need to seek direction from the Founder Chairman/Patron-in-Chief, Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, regarding the above matters and others, including relations concerning certain important matters with the Federation and other provinces,” the letter stated.
“The seeking of direction is extremely essential, even presently the province of Punjab has stopped the inter-provincial trade of wheat,” Chief Minister Afridi said.
Afridi, a young PTI leader, originates from Bara tehsil in Khyber district. He previously held the portfolio of Provincial Minister for Higher Education before his election as chief minister.
He is considered one of the party’s most ideological and grassroots-oriented figures, having been associated with the party founded by Imran Khan since his student days.
In his inaugural speech before the KP Assembly, Chief Minister Afridi identified himself as “a champion of confrontational politics,” signaling a continuation of his predecessor’s efforts to secure the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, but with renewed vigor.
The young politician also issued a warning, stating that if the PTI founder were to be moved from Adiala Jail without prior consultation with his family and the party, they would bring the entire country to a standstill in protest.
