Court Appeal After Meeting Denied
Rawalpindi — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that he will approach the courts after being denied permission to meet former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, as detailed here. Speaking to the media, Afridi said that despite court orders, he was not allowed to hold the meeting, prompting him to consider filing a contempt of court petition.
Legal and Constitutional Basis
Afridi emphasized that the meeting is both a constitutional and legal right. He stated that, as the representative nominated by PTI’s founder, he needs guidance to form his provincial cabinet. According to Afridi, the selection of cabinet members will follow after consultations with Khan, reflecting the party’s internal decision-making process.
Recent Governance Initiatives
The announcement comes amid Afridi’s recent efforts to improve governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a high-level meeting earlier this month, he pledged a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and announced measures to eliminate the culture of favoritism and political recommendations in provincial administration. These reforms are part of Afridi’s broader attempt to strengthen transparency and accountability in government operations.
Political Context
This development also underscores ongoing tensions within PTI and between provincial leadership and party central authorities. Denials of access to key party leaders have, in the past, triggered legal interventions in Pakistan, highlighting the complex interplay between party rules and constitutional rights.
Analysts suggest that Afridi’s decision to take the matter to court could set a precedent regarding the authority of provincial leaders in party matters, especially in cabinet formation processes.
