ISLAMABAD — A local court in the federal capital issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday after he repeatedly failed to appear in a case involving alleged misleading statements and defamation of state institutions.
Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah issued the warrants after observing that the chief minister had neither appeared in person nor sent any legal representative despite several summonses. The court cautioned that if he failed to comply at the next hearing on September 3, proceedings would be initiated to declare him a proclaimed offender.
The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). It accuses CM Afridi of making defamatory remarks against state institutions through electronic media.
Legal and Political Developments
| Public Figure | Legal Action / Forum | Current Status & Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sohail Afridi (KP Chief Minister) | Islamabad District Court / NCCIA | Non-bailable arrest warrants issued under PECA; next hearing set for Sept 3. |
| Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry (Incarcerated PTI Leader) | Supreme Court of Pakistan | Filed petition challenging LHC’s refusal to suspend his sentence regarding May 2023 events. |
| Aleema Khan (Sister of Imran Khan) | Public Statement / Adiala Jail | Announced nationwide mobilization for PTI’s release campaign; court verdict expected Aug 11. |
Jailed PTI Leader Ejaz Chaudhry Approaches Supreme Court
In a separate development, former senator and senior PTI leader Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan challenging the Lahore High Court’s refusal to suspend his sentence. Chaudhry is currently lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore following his conviction by an Anti-Terrorism Court in a case related to alleged conspiracy meetings at Zaman Park ahead of the May 2023 unrest.
The petition, submitted through counsel Raja Abdul Qadeer, contends that:
- The Lahore High Court’s order was non-speaking and did not address the lack of direct evidence or recovery.
- Section 25(8) of the Anti-Terrorism Act restricts interim relief at the appellate stage, causing irreparable harm during the pendency of the appeal.
- The petitioner was not initially named in the FIR, and prosecution witnesses, who were police officials, admitted to lacking corroborative evidence.
An Islamabad court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP CM Sohail Afridi after repeated absences, ordering his appearance on September 3.#Pakistan #Court #Politics #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/NFJ0rfcKwO
— NewsPulse.pk (@NewsPulsepk) July 22, 2026
Aleema Khan Mobilizes Supporters Outside Adiala Jail
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan — sister of PTI founder Imran Khan — claimed her brother was being subjected to rights violations and harsh conditions in custody.
She announced plans to mobilise party workers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for a nationwide march aimed at securing Imran Khan’s release. Addressing criticism over family involvement in political activities, she maintained that sustained public pressure was essential. Khan added that a court decision on her own pending legal matters is expected on August 11.
