Sohail Afridi seeks court permission to meet PTI founder for guidance

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has authorised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to form his cabinet independently, while rejecting a proposal to set up advisory councils in KP and Punjab, according to party and official sources.

The decision marks a key development in the formation of the provincial cabinet.

Sources said the chief minister has decided to implement major administrative changes across the province. However, final decisions regarding ministerial appointments are still pending.

Party insiders revealed that Imran Khan turned down the proposal for establishing advisory councils in the two provinces, emphasising that Sohail Afridi and Punjab PTI Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza should exercise full authority.

Imran Khan’s directive, conveyed to Afridi through party channels, stated that only the KP chief minister would lead the provincial government’s affairs.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is also considering changes in the top bureaucracy, including the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Secretary.

A new police chief from the tribal districts is reportedly under consideration.

Letter to CJP

In a related development, CM Afridi has written to the Chief Justice of Pakistan through the Advocate General, requesting permission to meet the PTI founder, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.

CM Afridi has asked the chief justice to direct the Interior Ministry and jail authorities to allow the meeting under official supervision.

In his letter, CM Afridi stated that since he has recently assumed charge following the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur, it is constitutionally and morally necessary to consult Imran Khan on key matters, including cabinet formation and interprovincial coordination.

He also noted that guidance from the party’s patron-in-chief was essential on issues such as wheat supply from Punjab.

The chief minister stressed that he represents 45 million citizens of KP and that consulting the PTI founder was part of his constitutional duty.

Approaches IHC

Separately, CM Afridi has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission to meet Imran Khan.

The petition, filed through the Advocate General of KP and counsel Syed Ali Bukhari, requests immediate and regular access to the PTI founder for governance-related consultations.

The federal and Punjab interior secretaries, the Punjab inspector general, and the superintendent of Adiala Jail have been named as respondents in the petition.

It may be noted that CM Afridi was denied permission to meet Imran Khan during his recent visit to Adiala Jail.

The former prime minister has been incarcerated since August 2023 in connection with the £190 million corruption case, while several other cases related to the May 9 unrest are also under trial.