The Islamabad High Court referred a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam to the chief justice, seeking permission to meet Imran Khan for consultations on the upcoming provincial budget. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order referring the petition. The Registrar’s Office raised objections to the maintainability of the petition. Advocate Ali Bukhari, representing the petitioners, argued that the request was distinct because it concerned provincial budget consultations. The court was informed that several identical or similar petitions relating to meetings with Imran Khan were already pending before a larger bench. The petitioners stated that previous judicial orders and decisions in similar matters had been placed on record.

Accounts differ on which judge will hear the petition next: Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order referring the petition to the chief justice, according to multiple sources; however, independent-pakistan.com reported that Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir is set to hear the petition on Monday.

According to independent-pakistan.com, Sohail Afridi was denied a meeting with Imran Khan at Adiala jail. The petition was submitted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s advocate general, Shah Faisal, through advocate Ali Bukhari. The petition argued that a meeting with Imran Khan was necessary for provincial governance and cabinet formation.