Punjab governor backs CM Afridi's push for Imran meeting

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Monday rebutted speculation over any move to divide provinces, while also saying Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi should be allowed to meet jailed PTI founder Imran Khan as a matter of democratic principle.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Haider said the Pakistan Peoples Party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) had held no discussion on the administrative division of provinces. "There has been no talk in the CEC regarding the division of provinces. If it comes up, we will address it then," he said.

The governor said the PPP was focused on internal reorganisation, calling it essential for the party's political momentum.

He noted that restructuring work was largely complete and that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would issue a notification for the party's Lahore chapter president shortly after returning to Pakistan.

Marking the PPP's foundation day, he added that the party could mobilise thousands of supporters "with a single call".