KP CM Sohail Afridi Denied Meeting with Imran Khan

RAWALPINDI – October 16, 2025: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi returned from Adiala Jail on Thursday after being denied permission to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, despite having informed both federal and Punjab authorities in advance.

Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Afridi expressed disappointment over the lack of response from relevant authorities. “The Prime Minister congratulated me on assuming office and said he would check on the meeting request, but I received no answer,” he said.

Afridi had planned the meeting to consult Imran Khan regarding the formation of the KP provincial cabinet. “The cabinet will be formed in consultation with the PTI founder,” he stated, adding that an advisory council under his leadership would also be established. “As Chief Minister, I will form the advisory council — who else will?”

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He reaffirmed PTI’s commitment to peaceful political struggle and added, “The option of peaceful protest is always open for us. For us, Pakistan comes first — everything else comes after.”

Before departing from the Dahgal checkpoint, where he was stopped, the Chief Minister thanked his supporters. “I appreciate all friends who stood with me. We tried all possible means today, and we will try again,” he remarked.

Earlier, the KP government had formally reached out to both the federal and Punjab governments through official communication, requesting coordination for the meeting. The KP Home Department had written to the Federal and Punjab Secretaries of Interior, asking them to facilitate the visit.

Officials say that the meeting, once allowed, is expected to focus on key political and administrative issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as PTI’s broader political strategy.

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According to court details, the leaders named in the proclamation include Omar Ayub, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Azeem Ullah, Zartaj Gul, Rai Muhammad Murtaza, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Muhammad Ahmed Chattha, and Muhammad Javed.

In addition, the list also carries the names of Shibli Faraz, Chaudhry Asif Ali, Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, and Ashraf Khan.