ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in a cybercrime case linked to alleged online statements against state institutions.
Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah noted that the chief minister had consistently ignored court summons and remained absent from hearings without providing any lawful explanation. The court observed that despite being granted several opportunities to attend proceedings and respond to the charges, the accused did not comply with judicial orders.
Terming the continued non-appearance a deliberate effort to avoid the legal process, the judge directed law enforcement agencies to ensure Mr Afridi’s presence before the court. The matter was adjourned until January 17 following the issuance of the warrants.
According to official records, the case was initiated on a complaint filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which booked the KP chief minister under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
In addition to the cybercrime proceedings, Mr Afridi and several of his associates are also facing cases in an anti-terrorism court over their alleged role in the November 26 protest in Islamabad. The ATC had earlier launched proclamation proceedings against them due to their repeated failure to appear before the court.
Those summoned include CM Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafiullah Jan and Amjad Afridi. In its order, the court stated that the persistent absence of the accused left it with no option but to initiate proclamation proceedings, while offering a final chance for them to surrender. The court warned that failure to appear during Section 87 proceedings would result in further legal action under the law. The case relates to an FIR registered in connection with the November 26 protest, in which the chief minister and others were named.
Separately, Mr Afridi is also facing proceedings before the Election Commission of Pakistan for an alleged violation of the code of conduct during a recent by-election on a National Assembly seat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His legal team has contested the ECP’s jurisdiction and approached the high court against the election body.
The ECP had summoned the chief minister after he allegedly threatened election staff during a political gathering in Havelian, Abbottabad, ahead of the NA-18 by-poll.
It is worth noting that Mr Afridi has been assigned by former prime minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, to spearhead a “street movement” against the government. He recently visited Lahore to mobilise party supporters but claimed that provincial authorities obstructed his political activities, allegations that have been disputed by officials.
He is expected to travel to Karachi next week to rally support for the planned protest campaign. The chief minister had earlier staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail after being denied permission to meet Imran Khan, though he later stayed away from further demonstrations to avoid additional legal complications.
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