Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was on Thursday denied a meeting with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan for the fourth time since assuming office.
The denial comes despite the Islamabad High Court (IHC) last week directing the Adiala jail superintendent to implement a March 24 order that reinstated the twice-a-week meeting schedule for the former prime minister.
Speaking to reporters outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, Afridi said he was yet again prevented by the police from meeting Imran.
He was flanked by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who was approved by the IHC as the designated person to provide the jail officials with the list of individuals named to meet Imran.
Afridi highlighted the various legal steps he had taken in order to secure his meeting with Imran, including letters written to the Punjab Home Department and the federal government, along with approaching the IHC.
The chief minister added that the PTI leadership will gather to discuss the matter and announce a plan of action.
Speaking to reporters separately, the chief minister said the provincial cabinet had been finalised in line with the PTI founder’s directions, with more than 10 members included in the first phase. He added that the remaining cabinet members were under consideration.
Afridi said complaints from party workers were being addressed and that the provincial government was focusing on performance and accountability.
Speaking to reporters separately, the chief minister said the provincial cabinet had been finalised in line with the PTI founder’s directions, with more than 10 members included in the first phase. He added that the remaining cabinet members were under consideration.
Afridi said complaints from party workers were being addressed and that the provincial government was focusing on performance and accountability.
On the security front, he expressed concern over continued cross-border terrorism, saying that Pakistan was still facing attacks and martyrdoms originating from Afghanistan.
Separately, PTI-supported candidate Khurram Zeeshan has won the Senate election held on the seat vacated after disqualification of PTI leader Shibli Faraz.
Faraz, who was the leader of opposition in the Senate, was convicted in cases pertaining to the May 9, 2023 riots and subsequently disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Khurram won the election with 91 votes, while a minimum of 75 votes were needed to win the seat.
A document shared by the PTI on its social media platform mentions that the returning officer has confirmed election of the PTI-backed candidate as the member of the Senate.