- IHC Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir hears KP CM’s plea.
- The Registrar’s office initially raised objections to the petition.
- Consultation with Imran must for KP cabinet formation: Afridi.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday removed the registrar’s office’s objections to a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi seeking to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan in Adiala jail.
IHC Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the plea and issued notices to the Home Minister, Punjab Home Minister, Inspector General of Police and Superintendent of Adiala Jail. The court ordered the authorities to submit their response by October 23.
Afridi moved the IHC on October 17, just two days after being sworn in as KP Chief Minister on October 15. A day earlier, on October 16, he had obtained anti-bail protection from the PHC and proceeded to Adiala jail – where PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan has been jailed – to seek a meeting with him. However, the prison authorities rejected the request.
After the rejection, he approached the IHC, but the registrar’s office initially raised objections to the maintainability of his petition.
During the hearing, Afridi’s counsel, Barrister Ali Bukhari, appeared before the court and informed the IHC that the Registrar’s Office had raised several objections to the petition.
Subsequently, after hearing arguments, the court issued notices to Adiala Jail Superintendent and others for October 23.
In his plea, CM Afridi maintained that consultation with the PTI founder is a must for the formation of cabinet in KP and guidance on provincial governance.
In the application, CM Afridi stated that he is the elected Chief Minister and represents a population of 45 million people. He added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted for PTI in the 2024 general elections through which the party secured 92 seats.
The prayer maintained that PTI’s founding chairman is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail and a meeting with him is essential, especially considering the current law and order and economic challenges facing the province.
