ATC upholds arrest warrants of Sohail Afridi in PTI case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has upheld the arrest warrants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in connection

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has upheld the arrest warrants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in connection with a case related to the October 4, 2024 PTI protest, during which a police officer was killed.

The court directed law enforcement agencies to arrest the accused and present him before the court, citing his repeated absence from the proceedings. The case is being heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra.

During the hearing, the court also declared several PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Amir Mughal and Hafeezur Rehman, as proclaimed offenders after they failed to appear before the court despite repeated notices.

PTI leader Azam Swati appeared before the court during the proceedings. The court continued hearing the case against him and recorded the statement of another prosecution witness.

Following the witness testimony, the court adjourned further proceedings until June 22.

The case was registered at Islamabad’s Noon Police Station following the PTI protest held on October 4, 2024, during which a police officer lost his life.

Separately, a district and sessions court in Islamabad recently upheld non-bailable arrest warrants for Sohail Afridi in another case involving allegations of making statements against state institutions and attempting to damage their reputation.

Authorities have been directed to ensure compliance with the court’s orders and produce the accused before the relevant courts as legal proceedings continue.