KP CM slams ‘system above constitution’ after denied meeting Imran for 5th time

• Afridi says he waited 90 minutes to meet IHC chief justice but left unheard, questions delay in case fixations
• Party MPs pass unanimous resolution urging governments to comply with IHC, stage protest outside IHC against ‘unlawful restrictions’

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday sharply criticised what he described as an “unprecedented blockade of constitutional rights,” after he was once again denied a meeting with PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail—marking the fifth such refusal since he assumed office on October 15 despite explicit Islamabad High Court (IHC) directions.

Speaking to reporters outside the jail, the KP CM said that he could meet neither Imran Khan nor the chief justice of the IHC earlier in the day, despite waiting 90 minutes at the court. Afridi has repeatedly attempted to meet the incarcerated PTI leader under the twice-a-week visitation schedule restored by the IHC in March but has been refused access each time.

جیسے ہی مجھے پارٹی کے تاحیات چیئرمین کی جانب سے وزیرِاعلیٰ منتخب کیا گیا، مجھ پر جو الزامات لگائے گئے وہ نہایت غیر مناسب اور غیر منصفانہ تھے۔ اُن الزامات کی نوعیت ایسی تھی کہ اُنہیں اس پر معافی مانگنی چاہیے۔

جب بھی کوئی میرے پارٹی لیڈر سے ملاقات کی اجازت مانگتا ہے، تو جواب ملتا… pic.twitter.com/kXh4UlyIjc

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 6, 2025

“As you all know, we have tried every constitutional and legal route. This is the fifth time,” Afridi said. “After waiting an hour and a half, we couldn’t meet the IHC chief justice, so we came here—and once again, I was denied permission. This entire system, exposed by my leader Imran Khan, is before you.”

He lamented that “people with clouded judgment” accused the PTI of trying to provoke unrest, but insisted he had “continuously tried to remove the fog clouding their judgment”. Afridi further alleged that “some people have become more powerful than institutions”, claiming officials had told him they were unable to act “without orders from the top.”

وزیرِ اعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا محمد سہیل آفریدی، خیبر پختونخوا ہاؤس اسلام آباد سے اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کی جانب روانہ۔
عدالتی کاروائی کے بعد وزیرِ اعلیٰ اڈیالہ جیل میں چیئرمین عمران خان سے ملاقات کے لیے جائینگے۔ pic.twitter.com/2VFnwgDxD6

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) November 6, 2025

PTI Protest Outside IHC

Earlier, PTI workers staged a protest outside the Islamabad High Court over the repeated denials of the KP CM’s meetings with Imran. The party said Afridi had reached the IHC for “legal proceedings” and would proceed to Adiala Jail afterward.

تمام آئینی اور قانونی راستے اپنائیں گے،
وزیراعلیٰ سہیل آفریدی pic.twitter.com/pLOSlXnBtD

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) November 6, 2025

This follows a unanimously passed resolution by the PTI parliamentary party a day earlier, demanding that both federal and Punjab governments implement the IHC order “in letter and spirit.”

Speaking outside the court, Afridi reiterated he would “avail all legal and constitutional paths” to secure the meeting, including the option of filing a contempt of court petition against the Adiala administration—a step he has previously warned of.

The KP CM said he had gone to the IHC to meet Chief Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar regarding the fixation of some pending cases, adding, “Our cases are not being fixed.” He asserted that despite clear court orders, he was repeatedly barred from meeting the PTI founder and emphasised that the Constitution guaranteed his right to peaceful protest. “Only the courts can tell who is pressuring them,” he remarked.

تمام آئینی اور قانونی راستے اپنائیں گے،
وزیراعلیٰ سہیل آفریدی pic.twitter.com/pLOSlXnBtD

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) November 6, 2025

He also questioned the government’s clarity on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, asking whether “the government itself has seen its draft or not.”

Slogans, Crowds, and Party Mobilisation

PTI MPs and leaders continued their demonstrations outside the IHC, chanting: “One state, two constitutions unacceptable,” “Make the judiciary independent.” “Free Imran Khan.”

Videos circulating on social media showed PTI leaders gathered at multiple locations, with one group raising slogans against the proposed amendment. Pictures shared by the party’s KP chapter showed large crowds welcoming the chief minister at the court.

پاکستان تحریکِ انصاف کے پنجاب اور خیبر پختونخوا کے پارلیمنٹرینز اور رہنماؤں کی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے باہر بھرپور نعرے بازی۔ pic.twitter.com/hqvMY8MPQx

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) November 6, 2025

Four Previous Meeting Denials

Afridi’s attempts since taking office have repeatedly hit the same roadblock: Oct 16: A day after taking oath, he secured protective bail from PHC and went to Adiala but was denied access after waiting two hours.

پاکستان تحریکِ انصاف کے پنجاب کے پارلیمنٹیرینز اور رہنماؤں کی اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے باہر بھرپور نعرے بازی۔

شرم کرو حیا کرو، عمران خان کو رہا کرو۔ pic.twitter.com/rRtsbUWbkP

— PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@PTIKPOfficial) November 6, 2025

Oct 23: Despite IHC orders reinstating twice-weekly meetings, he was again refused. Oct 28: Third denial in Rawalpindi, after which Imran instructed Afridi to proceed with forming his cabinet. Oct 30: Fourth denial, leading to the finalization of his provincial cabinet.

The chief minister said today’s episode marked the fifth consecutive restriction, reinforcing what he called a “system operating above the Constitution.”