ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court bench hearing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s request to meet PTI founder Imran Khan for budget consultations disbanded on Thursday, with the court referring the matter to the Chief Justice amid registrar objections.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro took up the petition filed by CM Afridi and Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, who sought permission to meet the incarcerated PTI founder to discuss the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget. However, the Registrar’s Office raised objections, submitting a report that a larger bench of the IHC has already been constituted to hear prison visit requests and similar matters.
Advocate Ali Bukhari, representing the petitioners, argued that this was the first request specifically seeking a meeting for budget consultations. He maintained that a complete record of all prison visit-related petitions had also been maintained.
The court issued a written order stating: “The Registrar High Court has submitted a report that other similar cases are pending before the larger bench. Therefore, the file is being sent to the Chief Justice for appropriate orders.”
The development comes as the KP government seeks to finalize its budgetary proposals amid ongoing political tensions. CM Afridi and Muzammil Aslam had filed the request specifically to consult with the PTI founder on fiscal matters concerning the province.
In a separate but related development, the Supreme Court heard a contempt of court petition against the ban on meetings with the PTI founder. The apex court directed that the appeal be fixed for hearing within three weeks.
Both the IHC and Supreme Court proceedings underscore the continuing legal and political friction surrounding access to Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated in Adiala Jai
