The court removes objections, issues notices to relevant officials and sends replies by October 23
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. SCREEN GRAB
The Islamabad High Court has removed the office’s objections and issued notices to all parties in response to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s petition seeking permission to meet Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The case was heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The court directed the Home Minister, Punjab Home Secretary, Inspector General of Police and Superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit their replies by October 23.
Advocate Ali Bukhari represented the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister during the hearing.
Read: Sohail Afridi approaches CJP, IHC to secure meeting with Imran Khan
Afridi had written to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and filed the petition stating that a meeting with Imran Khan was essential for consultation on cabinet formation and important administrative decisions.
The petition also mentioned that prior requests had already been made to both the federal and Punjab home departments.
Earlier, the registrar’s office had raised objections, arguing that the court had already dealt with petitions regarding prison meetings with the PTI founder with established procedures and standard operating protocols (SOPs) for such visits.
The registrar’s office also noted that PTI office bearers were empowered to prepare weekly meeting lists for visits and that relevant party officials had not been made respondents in the petition.
Lawyer Ali Bukhari represented Afridi and argued that these objections were invalid. He countered that the provincial cabinet had not yet been constituted, rendering the objection of cabinet approval irrelevant.
After hearing the arguments, the court removed all objections and issued notices to the relevant officials directing them to respond by October 23. Further proceedings were adjourned until this date.
