K-P CM continues sit-in outside Adiala Jail after visit to PTI founder denied again

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi continued a sit-in outside Adiala Jail late into Thursday night after authorities once again denied him permission to meet the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Negotiations between representatives of the K-P CM and the Adiala Jail administration were underway, according to sources.

The talks are being held at a private building near the Faqirabad (Factory) checkpoint, sources said. Officials participating in the discussions include the assistant superintendent of Adiala Jail, the chief minister’s chief security officer, police representatives, and K-P MPA Meena Khan.

According to sources, the K-P delegation has demanded a written explanation for why the CM and other party leaders have not been allowed to meet the PTI founder. They have also sought assurances regarding the founder’s health. The delegation further pressed for immediate permission for the CM and accompanying party leaders to hold the requested meeting, sources added.

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Earlier, Afridi had arrived at the Adiala Jail and engaged in a heated exchange with police officials, reminding them that he had been stopped during his previous visit as well. “I asked then, and I ask now: give me in writing why court orders are not being followed. Someone is trying to create chaos here,” he said. “This is the eighth time I’ve come here respectfully,” he added, noting that repeated travel from Peshawar to Rawalpindi “was not easy” when meetings did not materialise.

After multiple attempts, jail authorities refused to allow the meeting, prompting the chief minister to launch a sit-in on the roadside. Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai later joined him in solidarity.

Speaking to reporters at the Faqirabad checkpoint, Afridi voiced concern over social media reports regarding the PTI founder’s health. “If these concerns are not addressed through a meeting, the entire nation will be on the streets,” he warned. “We are sitting right here. If the meeting does not happen, we will decide our next steps.” Afridi reiterated his demand for clarity. “We want to meet him and inquire about his well-being,” he said.

Afridi said the party’s concerns were growing each time access to its founder was denied, warning that “we are considering our last option.” He added that unemployment was rising and young people were leaving the country. “I will defend my province’s case in the NFC. I will attend the meeting. The government has postponed the NFC session four times.”

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He said PTI had used all democratic avenues. “I wanted to come earlier for a sit-in but was stopped by the founder’s sisters,” he remarked. Peaceful protest, he said, had always been the party’s last resort. “Do not take this lightly. They are feeling the pressure — we know that. When we come with full preparation, many people will lose sleep. Even this sit-in is troubling them.”

TTAP chief Achakzai also addressed questions about Imran Khan’s health. “If there is concern that Imran Khan is unwell, just ask him on camera. He will confirm he is fine,” he said. “If you truly want to run the country properly, then ask him on camera about rumours regarding his health. It will take only two minutes — he will say he is fine, people will hear it, and the matter will end,” he added.

Commenting on the governance crisis, Achakzai added: “There is no real constitution in Pakistan. We have kept all nations together under the Constitution, yet you do not uphold it for anyone.” He criticised the refusal to allow the K-P chief minister a meeting despite a court order. “A representative came under a court order for a meeting, and they are refusing permission. Where is Pakistan headed?” he asked.

He further warned that nationwide sit-ins could follow if the situation persisted, saying the public would assert its authority over state institutions. Describing governance as being in “a state of constitutional breakdown,” he accused the authorities of breaking promises and undermining provincial respect.

“Have you ever heard of an entire province, with its chief minister, being blocked from meeting its leader? Promises are made and then broken. Where are you taking Pakistan? What respect are you showing to the provinces? he added.

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PTI MPA Meena Khan Afridi also raised concern over the founder’s health. “This is not an ordinary issue. It concerns the founder’s health. Despite repeated requests, we are not being allowed to meet him. They must explain the reason,” she said. She added that the chief minister had indicated earlier that “all options would be used” and that the sit-in was one such option. “We want the public to see their true face.”

Meanwhile, MNA Shahid Khattak criticised the treatment of the K-P chief minister. “There was no plan for a sit-in. Only seven of us came. I went inside the jail and gave them all the names. How can you make a chief minister representing 50 million people sit on the roadside like this?” he asked. “This is their action; we will give a reaction.”

He said the party had convened a meeting at the K-P House to discuss the matter, adding that PTI would not compromise on issues related to the founder’s confinement, health, or the “disrespect” shown to the chief minister. “This is not their father’s country. They do not follow the Constitution or the law. If we respond forcefully, they call us thugs. We will react — we will not let this go easily.”

Khattak said what happened on February 8 had been repeated on November 23. In the recent by-elections, he claimed, 95 per cent of voters abstained, saying the people of Punjab had “shown solidarity with the founder by not voting.”