RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a sit-in near Adiala Jail’s Factory Naka on Thursday after being denied a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan for the eighth time.
CM Afridi had previously been denied access last Friday, despite orders from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Speaking to reporters, he said he had written to the Chief Justice but received no response.
Afridi and party supporters initially intended to march to the jail but were stopped by a large police contingent at Factory Naka. The sit-in included prayers led by Punjab lawmaker Hafiz Farhat Abbas.
He expressed concern over authorities not complying with court orders, saying, “A province is being treated like a stepmother. If the representative of 25 million people is treated like this, it is not acceptable.” He added that nobody, including Imran’s sisters, lawyers, or doctors, has been allowed to meet him.
Afridi warned that if the authorities continue their stance, PTI would consider a “final option,” without specifying what it entails.
The PTI also voiced concerns over Imran Khan’s health, noting he has been barred from seeing family and lawyers for over three weeks. Former PM’s aide Zulfi Bukhari said no one has seen Imran since November 4 and called the isolation “illegal.”
A jail official confirmed to Reuters that the former premier is in good health and that there are no plans to transfer him. The Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
