Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday lashed out at the Centre and Punjab authorities after being denied a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail for the 10th time.

CM Afridi was halted at the Dahgal checkpoint, where police had placed barriers restricting movement towards the prison.

In a tense exchange with officers, he questioned why a sitting chief minister was being repeatedly prevented from exercising a constitutional right.

“I am not from another country; I am the chief minister of a province of Pakistan. What message are you trying to send? Who is giving these orders?” he asked.

Speaking to reporters, CM Afridi said the repeated refusals were damaging Pakistan’s image and alienating the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We come according to the Constitution and the law, yet you block us every time,” he said.

He also condemned the treatment of Imran Khan’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum and Noreen Niazi — during their attempt to visit the PTI founder on Tuesday, alleging that water cannons were used on them.

He claimed PTI leader Shahid Khattak suffered a leg fracture during the confrontation.

“They [Imran Khan’s sisters] have never taken part in politics. Using water cannons on them is inhumane,” he said.

CM Afridi accused the authorities of deepening divisions by erecting barriers and denying lawful access.

“You are increasing hatred. This is not in the country’s interest,” he said, adding that even placing his passport on the stop list would not stop him from speaking out.

He also questioned the government’s governance and economic direction.

“The country is heading towards devastation. If sense does not prevail, we won’t even have money to service debt,” he warned.

CM Afridi reiterated that he only sought a legal meeting with his party’s founder.