- IHC Judge Arbab Muhammad Tahir listens to KP CM’s statement.
- The registrar’s office initially raised objections to the petition.
- It is essential to consult with Imran for the formation of the KP cabinet: Afridi.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday removed the registry office’s objections to a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi seeking to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding president Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.
IHC Judge Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the plea and issued notices to Home Secretary, Punjab Home Department Secretary, Inspector General of Police and Adiala Jail Superintendent. The court ordered authorities to submit their responses by October 23.
Afridi moved IHC on October 17, just two days after being sworn in as KP chief minister on October 15. A day earlier, on October 16, he had obtained protective bail from the PHC and went to Adiala Jail, where PTI founding president Imran Khan has been imprisoned, to request a meeting with him. However, prison authorities denied the request.
Following the denial, he approached IHC, but the registrar’s office initially raised objections about the maintainability of his petition.
During the hearing, Afridi’s lawyer Ali Bukhari appeared before the court and informed IHC that the registrar’s office had raised multiple objections to the petition.
Later, after hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the superintendent of Adiala jail and others for October 23.
In his plea, CM Afridi maintained that it is imperative to consult with the PTI founder for the formation of the cabinet in KP and guidance on provincial governance.
In the application, CM Afridi claimed that he is the elected prime minister and represents a population of 45 million people. He added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted for the PTI in the 2024 general elections in which the party won 92 seats.
The statement maintained that the founding president of the PTI is currently imprisoned in Adiala jail and a meeting with him is essential, especially considering the law, current order and economic challenges facing the province.
