PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday said certain individuals were flouting and bulldozing the Constitution by denying incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan access to his personal physician, terming the demand neither unjust nor outside the jail manual.
“We held a peaceful sit-in for five days, but unfortunately some people behaved senselessly,” the chief minister said, adding that his party did not want to politicise the health of PTI founder Imran Khan; otherwise, it could have taken a different course of action.
Addressing a ceremony after administering the oath to the newly elected body of the Peshawar Press Club at the Chief Minister’s House, Mr Afridi said the world knew his party was the largest political force with the biggest street movement, yet its democratic protest was mishandled and Mr Khan was denied access to his personal physician.
“Mr Khan has sought a meeting with his personal doctors. Matters are moving in the wrong direction, and no one will be able to stop us if we give a call,” he said, adding that continued refusal to grant access would be dangerous for both the government and the country.
Claims peaceful five-day sit-in mishandled; warns continued refusal poses risks for govt and country
The CM claimed that when Mr Khan was prime minister, he allowed former premier Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment despite reservations about his medical reports, alleging that Mr Sharif later returned after three years.
He said that federal ministers had acknowledged Mr Khan’s eye condition and that the apex court had ordered proper treatment, which was never provided. He added that his leader had been shot yet was still summoned for court cases, while the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had left the country, was facilitated with biometric verification at the airport.
Mr Afridi told media persons that his government welcomed constructive criticism, unlike other provinces where, he alleged, journalists were picked up over minor issues.
He added that he faced what he termed a media trial after allocating Rs4 billion for victims of Tirah Valley, while questioning why there was silence over the alleged purchase of an aircraft worth Rs11 billion by the Punjab government.
He claimed that while Pakistan was seeking IMF support to run its economy, alleged embezzlement of Rs5,300bn highlighted in reports had not received due attention.
Earlier, Special Assistant to the CM for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan said journalism was a pillar of the state.
President-elect of the Peshawar Press Club, M. Riaz, said the club symbolised democratic values and human rights and held annual elections regularly.
Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2026
