ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Monday filed a contempt of court petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over the alleged non-compliance of an earlier judicial order allowing Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
Advocate General KP Shah Faisal Utmankhel submitted the petition on behalf of the provincial chief minister, accusing the jail administration and Punjab authorities of defying the IHC’s explicit direction. Before filing, Mr Faisal completed biometric verification at the court registry.
According to the petition, the refusal to permit the meeting “constitutes deliberate disobedience and undermines the authority of the judiciary.” It requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against those responsible for what it described as “wilful defiance” of its order.
KP govt accuses Adiala jail authorities and Punjab officials of defying court order.https://t.co/drGSk3hGwd
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 11, 2025
The respondents named include the federal government, the Punjab government, the Adiala Jail administration, and the Punjab home secretary. The petition also referenced earlier IHC decisions on prisoners’ visitation rights and the implementation of judicial directives.
The development came after CM Afridi was reportedly denied access to meet Imran Khan for the second time since assuming office, despite the high court’s directions.
A three-member IHC bench, headed by Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam Khan, had earlier suspended a single-bench verdict that struck down a clause in the Punjab Prison Rules barring prisoners from political speeches. However, the larger bench had explicitly directed Adiala Jail authorities to permit meetings between the PTI founder and designated visitors, including the KP chief minister, under existing law and standard operating procedures.
You May Also Like: Sanaullah Denies Link Between PM’s Decision on Immunity Clause and Imran Khan’s Status
Despite the order, CM Afridi’s convoy was stopped near the jail gates, prompting PTI leaders to stage a brief protest before dispersing.
The Punjab government, represented by Advocate General Amjad Pervez, has maintained that the restriction on political statements from prisoners is necessary for maintaining prison discipline and order. It earlier challenged the single-bench ruling, arguing that the clause was declared void without hearing mandatory respondents, including the Attorney General for Pakistan.
Check out our latest video:
