Islamabad, November 28, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday rejected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s demand to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, calling it “unlawful” and accusing the KP government of violating jail procedures for political theatre.
Afridi had staged a 16-hour-long sit-in on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, insisting on a meeting to check on Khan’s health amid rumours about his condition and alleged relocation within the prison.
Speaking to the media in Nowshera, Tarar criticised the KP government’s actions as “regrettable and condemnable”. “If they keep holding sit-ins, who will pay attention to the province? Demands are being made in violation of the jail manual,” the minister said.
Tarar maintained that Imran Khan, detained since August 2023, was receiving all facilities and privileges permitted under the law.
“The former prime minister is in prison due to his conviction in a mega corruption case,” he said. “He destroyed the country’s economy and isolated Pakistan on the diplomatic front.”
Khan faces several cases, including corruption and terrorism-related charges, stemming from events following his ouster through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Afridi’s attempt to meet the PTI founder was his eighth effort since assuming office last month. His visit came after unverified reports circulated regarding Khan’s health and alleged transfer from Adiala Jail.
The prison administration dismissed the reports as baseless, saying Khan remained at the facility, was healthy, and had access to all standard facilities.
A prison spokesperson stated that rumors of his relocation were “completely false”.
Despite this, Afridi insisted on a one-on-one meeting to personally assess the PTI founder’s condition.
“I have used every constitutional and legal path. What route is left for me to meet my leader?” he asked, lamenting that even with a court order, authorities had blocked all attempts.
After ending the sit-in on Friday morning, Afridi headed to Islamabad to seek judicial intervention. He submitted a plea to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting permission to meet Imran Khan.
However, the chief minister told reporters that he was unable to secure a meeting with the chief justice.
“We were not heard. We received a message from the chief justice saying he cannot meet us,” Afridi said.
In a parallel move, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan filed a contempt petition in the IHC against the Adiala Jail superintendent for failing to implement a previous court directive allowing scheduled meetings with the PTI founder.
The petition argues that the jail authorities violated a court order reinstating twice-weekly visitations and urges legal action against officials responsible for non-compliance.
