CM unable to meet Imran for 9th time

Sohail Afridi claims that K-P is being deprived of its rights

RAWALPINDI:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday once again failed—for the ninth time—to meet incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

The chief minister, visibly angry, later said denying a provincial chief minister access to his leader despite a high court order was illegal and amounted to contempt of court.

"This has become a serious matter. We will give a strong and firm response," he said.

After attending a meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) in Islamabad, Afridi reached near Adiala Jail, where heavy police deployment had blocked the road with containers and barbed wire at the Dagal checkpost.

He was not even allowed to proceed on foot toward the jail. The meeting time was set from 2pm to 4pm. At 4pm, the CM's protocol staff was informed that the meeting would not take place as permission had not been granted.

At 4:45pm, the chief minister returned from the Dagal police checkpoint and headed back to Peshawar.Earlier talking to the media, Afridi paid tribute to the PTI founcer.

"Prisoner No 804, the leader of the Tehreek and the Imam of the Revolution, Imran Khan, lives in our hearts. We eat, drink, sit, rise with his name—and will continue to do so all our lives," he said.

The chief minister said all three other provinces were being given their due rights, but unfortunately the K-P was being deprived despite the fact that the people of the K-P have given immense sacrifices in the war on terrorism.

"I presented my case in the meeting. After the 25th Amendment, the tribal districts were merged into the K-P, yet their share is still not being given.

"I said in the meeting that this is unconstitutional. In principle, all participants agreed, and it was decided that a subcommittee will be formed by next Wednesday, and recommendations will be finalized by January 8. The next NFC meeting will be held in January. Now we have been assured we will receive it."

In response to a question, Sohail Afridi said it is not the K-P government but certain "facilitators" who got the nomination papers of "that criminal Afghan" approved by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

"Earlier we had 'good Taliban' and 'bad Taliban'. Now there are 'good Afghans' and 'bad Afghans'. Those involved in crimes are being made part of parliament."

A heavy police contingent was deployed at Dagal checkpoint, the road was sealed with containers, and a large number of workers were present, chanting loud slogans against the government. They later dispersed peacefully.