Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was once again blocked from meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday, as the political tensions surrounding the formation of the provincial cabinet continue to escalate.
Afridi, who assumed office earlier this month, made a visit to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail accompanied by senior PTI figures, including Barrister Gohar Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. However, despite their arrival, the KP Chief Minister returned without having met with the jailed former prime minister. While Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, was permitted to visit him, Afridi’s efforts were thwarted for the third consecutive time since his election on October 13.
Speaking to the media outside the jail, Afridi voiced his frustration, stating that it was essential for him to meet Khan in order to discuss “policy guidelines” vital to the province’s governance. He emphasized his position as the PTI-appointed chief minister and questioned the continued obstruction of such meetings, stressing that the situation warranted scrutiny.
In a pointed critique of the federal government, Afridi accused it of attempting to govern through coercion rather than respecting the Constitution and the rule of law. He further suggested that if the situation persisted, he would be forced to file a contempt petition against the authorities responsible for preventing his meeting with Khan.
Afridi also highlighted the lack of support from Punjab’s leadership, despite receiving congratulations from counterparts in Sindh, Balochistan, and several political figures. Instead of offering goodwill, Afridi claimed, Punjab had cut off the wheat supply to KP, contributing to a growing flour crisis in the province.
Despite the ongoing delays in forming his cabinet, Afridi indicated that he would address ongoing corruption issues within the province once the cabinet was fully established. The chief minister has faced significant challenges since his election, notably from opposition parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and Pakistan Peoples Party, which boycotted the assembly session in which he secured his position with 90 votes.
Afridi’s attempts to meet Khan have also been backed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which directed prison authorities to facilitate such meetings. However, the denial of access to Khan has not been resolved, despite Afridi staging a brief sit-in outside the jail earlier this month in protest.
Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 following his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case, is facing a series of legal challenges, including charges of corruption and terrorism. His continued incarceration has kept him from participating in political activities, contributing to an ongoing power struggle within his party and in the larger political landscape of the country.
As KP’s new government grapples with internal and external pressures, Afridi’s ability to establish a functioning cabinet and meet with party leadership remains pivotal in determining the future political direction of the province.
