PESHAWAR — Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider on Friday said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi should “definitely” be allowed to meet incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, noting that there appeared to be “no legal reason” to prevent the meeting.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Peshawar alongside KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Haider was responding to a question about Afridi being denied a meeting with Imran at Adiala Jail on Thursday — the second such refusal since he assumed office on October 16, despite having permission from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
“Presently, there’s no possibility of the governor’s rule as the provincial government is functioning smoothly,” Kundi said.https://t.co/SntZmXjEfE
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 24, 2025
“There is democracy in the country, and in my view, political people should be dealt with in a political manner,” Haider said. “The court has given him permission, and if there is no legal hindrance, I see no reason why the meeting should not take place.”
The Punjab governor added that several prisoners met visitors daily under the set schedule. “If Sohail Afridi goes and meets the PTI founder, the sky will not fall down and the world will not end,” he remarked.
You May Also Like: FO Condemns Israeli Attempt at Territorial Expansion in the Name of Extending So-Called Sovereignty
“In my opinion, he should definitely be allowed. Otherwise, you are making someone a hero over nothing,” Haider said, adding that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had always stood for democratic principles and opposed undemocratic actions.
He expressed confidence that a meeting between Afridi and Imran would not cause any harm to the country.
Meanwhile, KP Governor Kundi said Afridi was currently engaged in forming his provincial cabinet and had gone to Rawalpindi to meet his party’s founder. He advised the chief minister to adopt a political approach for resolving intergovernmental issues.
“The provincial government should prepare its case and approach the Centre through relevant forums like the Council of Common Interests and the National Finance Commission,” Kundi said, adding that the Governor House would act as a “bridge” between the federation and the province for peace and progress.
