Pakistan's KPK CM calls for protest after meeting with Imran Khan denied

Peshawar: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday called for protests after a delegation led by him was denied a meeting with the jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.

The 73-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since August 2023 and is facing several cases.

Khan's arrest had triggered widespread protests, which led to clashes between his supporters and security forces in Islamabad's D-Chowk, which is located close to several important government buildings: the Presidency, the Prime Minister's office, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court.


Talking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Afridi said the situation at the prison indicated that the authorities still had no intention of allowing a meeting with Khan.

Afridi said he and his delegation were once again denied permission to meet the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder despite court orders allowing such meetings.

"We have three judges' orders in our hands directing that meetings be allowed, but every Tuesday and Thursday these orders are thrown into the dustbin," he alleged.

He said contempt of court petitions had also been filed, but no hearing was taking place on them.

Afridi called on party workers to remain ready and, from 10 pm on Thursday, take to the streets carrying the national and PTI flags and "turn every chowk into D-Chowk".

He said the protest would convey to the public that the treatment meted out to Khan, whom he described as the country's most popular leader since April 2022, was unjustified.

Khan's supporters have repeatedly alleged that authorities have denied him access to family members and party colleagues and have failed to provide adequate medical care for his health problems, including an eye condition.

Afridi said Thursday was his last visit to Adiala Jail before September 27 and that he would return only when the jail administration confirmed a meeting with Khan.

Khan's supporters were planning to hold a long march towards Islamabad on September 27, demanding justice, a better future and a change in their destiny.

Afridi claimed that more than two million people would take to the streets on September 27.

The chief minister said the party was pursuing all constitutional, legal and democratic avenues, but its grievances were not being addressed.

He alleged that Khan's family and the PTI workers were being treated as "second-class citizens", forcing them to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest.

"If judges cannot get their own orders implemented, then where will the people seek justice?" Afridi asked. "If all decisions are to be made elsewhere, then what is the role of institutions?" he said.