RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday left Adiala Jail without meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan after authorities did not grant clearance for the meeting despite prior requests.
Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Afridi said that both the Punjab and federal governments had been informed in advance about his visit, but no response was received. “The prime minister congratulated me and said he would look into the matter, yet no update came,” the KP chief minister told journalists.
Afridi said his primary purpose was to consult with Imran Khan regarding the formation of the provincial cabinet. “The KP cabinet will be finalised after discussion with the PTI founder,” he confirmed, adding that an advisory council under his leadership would also be set up to guide the provincial government. “As the chief minister, it is my responsibility to constitute the council,” he remarked.
He reiterated that his party continues to follow a peaceful political path. “We believe in constitutional struggle, and peaceful protest remains an option for us,” Afridi said, emphasising that “Pakistan comes first, everything else follows.”
Before leaving the Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala, the chief minister thanked his supporters for accompanying him. “I am grateful to all friends who stood by me today. We made every possible effort, and we will continue trying,” he said.
Earlier, the KP Home Department had formally written to the interior secretaries of Punjab and the federal government, seeking coordination to facilitate the meeting between Afridi and the PTI founder. The letter stated that necessary security and administrative arrangements should be ensured for the visit.
According to officials, the planned meeting was expected to cover political and administrative developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and discuss PTI’s strategy going forward. However, Afridi’s visit concluded without any communication from the authorities regarding permission to meet Imran Khan.
