Court issues arrest warrants for KP CM

An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail

An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in a case related to alleged misleading statements and defamatory remarks against state institutions.

The court observed that the chief minister neither appeared personally nor sent legal counsel despite being summoned on multiple occasions. After noting his continued absence, the judge ordered law enforcement authorities to ensure his appearance at the next hearing.

The court also warned that if Afridi fails to appear again on the next hearing, scheduled for September 3, legal proceedings could be initiated to declare him a proclaimed offender under the relevant provisions of law.

The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Investigators allege that the chief minister used electronic media to make misleading statements and defamatory remarks targeting state institutions.

In another significant legal development, former senator and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry has approached the Supreme Court after the Lahore High Court refused to suspend the sentence handed down to him by an anti-terrorism court.

Chaudhry is currently serving his sentence at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. He was convicted over his alleged involvement in meetings held before the violent incidents that followed the events of May 9, 2023.

In his petition, Chaudhry argued that the conviction was based on weak and disputed evidence. He maintained that he was not originally nominated in the FIR and that his name was added later through supplementary statements. The petition also stated that no weapons, electronic devices, or other incriminating evidence were recovered from him.

The petition further argued that police witnesses failed to present independent evidence linking him to the alleged conspiracy. It asked the Supreme Court to suspend his sentence and grant him bail until his appeal is decided.

Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, alleged that her brother was being denied his basic rights in prison. Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, she claimed he was facing mistreatment and said public support would be crucial for securing his release.

Aleema said supporters from across the country were expected to participate in the PTI’s planned protest movement. She added that she was not concerned about possible legal action against herself and would continue campaigning for her brother’s release.

Another sister of the former prime minister, Noreen Niazi, also criticised the judicial system and expressed hope that Imran Khan would soon be released.