Islamabad ATC Initiates Proclamation Proceedings Against KP Chief Minister, Others

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday initiated proclamation proceedings through public advertisement against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other accused for repeatedly failing to appear before the court in connection with cases related to a November 26 protest.

Following the court’s directions, summon notices were displayed at prominent public places across the federal capital as well as within the Islamabad Judicial Complex. Court officials confirmed that the notices were posted to ensure wide public awareness and compliance with legal requirements.

The proclamations call upon Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafiullah Jan and Amjad Afridi to appear before the court immediately to face ongoing legal proceedings. The ATC invoked Section 87 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing the accused persons’ continuous absence and non-compliance with earlier summons.

In its written order, the court observed that the accused had persistently avoided court appearances despite repeated notices, leaving the bench with “no option but to initiate proclamation proceedings.” The court further stated that the action was taken strictly in accordance with the law after exhausting other available measures to secure the accused’s presence.

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While granting the accused a final opportunity to surrender, the court warned that failure to appear during the proclamation proceedings would result in further legal action. The notices explicitly state that if the accused do not comply, the court will proceed with subsequent steps as provided under the law.

The cases originate from a first information report (FIR) registered over a protest held on November 26, in which Chief Minister Afridi and the other individuals were nominated as accused. Authorities allege their involvement in activities that fall under the ambit of the Anti-Terrorism Act, though the specifics of the charges have yet to be adjudicated.

Earlier, on December 17, ATC Judge Abual Mohammad Hasnat Zulqarnain had initiated proceedings to declare Chief Minister Afridi, provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi and Shafiullah Jan Iqbal Afridi as proclaimed offenders due to their repeated failure to attend court hearings. During that hearing, none of the accused appeared, prompting the court to take further action and adjourn the proceedings.

Separate cases have been registered against the chief minister and others at Ramna and Noon police stations in Islamabad in connection with the same protest. The court has indicated that proceedings in all related cases will continue in accordance with legal procedure until the accused present themselves before the bench.

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