PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on Wednesday said that the founding chairman of PTI, Imran Khan, has been kept in isolation since November 4 and that even his sisters and personal physician have not been allowed to meet him.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, the chief minister said that despite a formal request, neither family members nor party representatives were granted access.
Afridi said the provincial government approached the Islamabad High Court after being denied permission. “On Tuesday, all assembly members again went to Adiala Jail but were still not allowed to meet,” he added.
The chief minister said the parliamentary party has decided that its members will attend the upcoming NFC meeting. He criticised the federal government for withholding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rightful share, saying the tribal districts were merged with KP in 2018, but funds have not been released since then.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share in the NFC from 2018 to 2025 has not been given. The NFC award is being distributed among only three provinces. Our share of Rs 1,350 billion has been withheld for seven years,” Afridi said.
Afridi announced that universities across the province will hold seminars tomorrow to raise awareness among students about KP not receiving its due share. “We want to tell the youth that we are being deprived of our constitutional rights,” he said, adding that all political parties and stakeholders should unite on the issue. “The NFC award is not just my right, it is the right of the entire people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
Responding to allegations about his property, Afridi clarified that his land in the Tirah area is family-owned, not personal. “The accusations against me are an attempt to divert attention,” he remarked.
The chief minister said that despite limited resources and only partial administration of the province, performance enabled their party to form government three times. He said questions regarding governance should be asked of the federal government. Afridi added that more than 2.5 million people have left the country, and the business community is increasingly concerned. “If we are again denied a meeting on Tuesday, we will announce a plan of action,” he warned.
He stressed that the KP government’s proposed measures for law and order would help restore peace. “The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffered due to closed-door decisions. Terrorism was declared over in 2018, yet terrorists returned,” he said. “For lasting peace, the KP government must be heard.”
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, addressing the press conference, said that various institutions in the country need to recognise the army as Pakistan’s army. He noted that members of the assembly, journalists, and businesspeople across Pakistan participate in national forums, and that institutional heads also attend such platforms.
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