Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Thursday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was now weighing its “last option” to secure a direct meeting with jailed party founder Imran Khan, amid persistent concerns over his health and continued refusal by authorities to allow access.
Speaking to reporters at Rawalpindi’s Gorakhpur checkpoint, Afridi said the party had exhausted “all legal and democratic avenues” to arrange a one-on-one interaction with the former prime minister inside Adiala Jail. He stressed that PTI leadership remained anxious about Khan’s well-being, despite an official statement from the jail administration rejecting reports of any health-related emergency or transfer.
Jail Officials Say Imran Khan Is Healthy
A day earlier, Adiala Jail administration issued a clarification following widespread speculation about Khan’s health and alleged relocation. Officials insisted the PTI founder was “fully healthy” and receiving proper medical care, dismissing reports of any move from the prison.
Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023 and faces several cases—ranging from corruption to terrorism—stemming from political turmoil after his ouster through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Afridi said he had intended to join PTI supporters in a sit-in outside the prison but was advised against it by Khan’s sisters.
IMF Report Sparks New Political Row
The KP chief minister also commented on the International Monetary Fund’s recent findings, calling the document “a charge sheet against the current government.” He alleged that the federal authorities were implicated in a Rs5,300 billion corruption scandal and urged journalists to highlight what he described as misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Afridi denied entering negotiations with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government, arguing that the ruling coalition “lacks a public mandate.” He said earlier contacts with the centre were held only under instructions from Khan, adding that “those in power have no real authority.”
Low Turnout in By-Elections Linked to PTI Boycott
Commenting on the recent by-elections, Afridi claimed that the extremely low voter turnout—citing a figure of 95% abstention—was evidence of public solidarity with PTI’s founder. The party had boycotted the polls, asserting they lacked fairness.
A video circulating online also showed Afridi questioning a Station House Officer (SHO) at the Gorakhpur checkpoint, expressing frustration over being repeatedly denied access to Khan. “This is the eighth time I’ve come. Why am I not allowed to meet the PTI founder?” he asked, seeking the identity of the officer in charge inside the prison.
