The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised objections to a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi seeking permission to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir is set to hear the petition, along with the registrar office’s objections, on Monday.
The petition, filed through Advocate Ali Bukhari by KP Advocate General Shah Faisal, argued that the meeting was essential to discuss provincial governance and cabinet formation.
However, the IHC registrar’s office objected to the maintainability of the plea, noting that the court had already adjudicated similar matters and established a procedure for seeking such permission. It questioned how a fresh petition could be filed without following the laid-down process.
The move came after CM Afridi was denied access to Imran Khan despite making formal requests to the federal interior ministry and the Punjab home department.
The KP government subsequently approached the IHC, naming the federal and Punjab interior secretaries, the inspector general of Punjab Police, and the superintendent of Adiala jail as respondents.
Advocate General Shah Faisal said the chief minister had personally attempted to meet the PTI founder and even sought the prime minister’s permission but was still denied. He added that Afridi might raise the issue before the Chief Justice of Pakistan or approach the Supreme Court if needed.
PTI counsel Ali Bukhari contended that the ban on political meetings, imposed on November 26 last year, violated Pakistan Prisons Rules and inmates’ visitation rights.
He emphasized that “meetings with inmates are a right, not a privilege.” The petition urged the court to direct jail authorities to permit the meeting and issue guidelines for future consultations between the KP government and the PTI founder.
