KP CM refuses talks with federal govt on Afghan refugees without Imran Khan’s approval

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has declined to attend a meeting with the federal government to discuss key issues, particularly the matter of Afghan refugees, stating that he cannot make any decisions without consulting his incarcerated party leader, Imran Khan.

Taking to X, Afridi said he refused to participate in the meeting because he was unable to seek Khan’s advice on the crucial matter, adding that his position was earned “in the name of Imran Khan,” as the public’s trust was tied to the PTI founder’s leadership.

“Unless I meet Imran Khan and receive policy guidelines, attending any such meeting will be an insult to the mandate of the people of the province,” Afridi wrote.

The chief minister urged the government to issue directives allowing him to meet his jailed leader “regularly,” describing Imran Khan as the trustee of the people’s mandate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Afridi further stated that he plans to approach the courts to seek approval for a meeting with the PTI founder inside prison.

On Thursday, the KP chief minister visited Adiala Jail but was denied a meeting with Imran Khan despite waiting for over two hours outside. Afridi added that he would finalize his provincial cabinet only after consulting Khan.

میں نے آج وفاقی حکومت کی زراعت اور افغان مہاجرین کے حوالے سے میٹنگ میں ذاتی طور پر شرکت سے اس لیے معذرت کی ہے کیونکہ خیبرپختونخوا کی عوام نے عمران خان کو ووٹ اور مینڈیٹ دیا ہے اور جب تک میں عمران خان صاحب سے مل کر پالیسی گائیڈ لائنز نہیں لیتا تو کسی ایسی میٹنگ میں شرکت صوبے کی…

— Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) October 17, 2025