‘Chief Justice Did Not Even Respond to My Greeting,’ Says KP CM Sohail Afridi After IHC Visit
Islamabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court did not even respond to his greeting when he attempted to speak in open court regarding the cases of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Afridi arrived at the Islamabad High Court to request early hearings of Imran Khan’s pending cases, including miscellaneous and bail applications. He went to the rostrum in an attempt to speak with Chief Justice Justice Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar, but the chief justice reportedly left for his chambers without hearing him.
According to Afridi, the Chief Justice’s secretary had asked him to come to the secretary’s office for a meeting. However, the chief minister insisted that since Imran Khan’s cases were not being scheduled, he would raise the matter in open court. Imran Khan’s sisters Uzma Khan, Noreen Khan, and Alima Khan were also present at the court.
Speaking to the media, Afridi said, “It was not possible to meet the Chief Justice, so while fasting in Ramadan, I went to the rostrum and greeted him, but he did not even respond to my salam.” He added that despite waiting for over an hour, there was no response, and even a request for a medical examination by doctors from Shaukat Khanum Hospital was not fixed for hearing.
Salman Akram Raja’s Remarks
Lawyer Salman Akram Raja stated that the court had set a schedule of two weekly meetings — one for lawyers and one for family — but meetings were not arranged through the jail superintendent. He said contempt of court petitions were filed but not heard, while older petitions were disposed of summarily.
Raja further alleged that the doors of the Islamabad High Court were effectively closed to them, as petitions could be filed but were not being heard. Referring to the Twitter case, he claimed the court had directed that a meeting with Imran Khan be arranged, but it did not take place, and arguments were ordered without the meeting.
He added that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, as a representative of 45 million people, attempted to present his stance in open court, but the Chief Justice left. Raja said the matter would now be taken to the Supreme Court, and Imran Khan’s case would continue to be fought for the public and the nation.
