ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after being summoned in a case involving alleged violations of the election code of conduct. His legal counsel, however, questioned the commission’s authority to proceed with the matter and formally challenged its jurisdiction.
The case stems from a political gathering held in Havelian, Abbottabad, ahead of the NA-18 Haripur by-election, during which CM Afridi was reported to have warned election officials of consequences in the event of rigging. The remarks prompted the ECP to issue a notice and summon him.
Appearing before a bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the chief minister’s lawyer, Advocate Ali Bokhari, argued that no threats had been made and that the CM’s comments amounted to permissible criticism of public officials. He maintained that admonishing officers fell within the chief minister’s political rights.
Mr Bokhari further noted that the election was held in Haripur, whereas the speech was delivered in Abbottabad. Summoning the chief minister for remarks made outside the constituency where polling was taking place, he warned, could set a problematic precedent. He also questioned whether similar standards would be applied to other public office holders, pointing out that the Punjab chief minister had recently announced development projects worth Rs2.5 billion in Hassanabdal ahead of a by-election.
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In response, the CEC said the ECP would act “without discrimination” and clarified that any prime minister or chief minister making political statements in violation of the code ahead of elections would be issued notices. He added that ECP had already summoned various ministers and candidates across constituencies for similar alleged violations, noting that Talal Chaudhry had also been proceeded against during the recent by-polls.
Counsel argues CM Afridi had not threatened anyone, claiming it was within the CM’s right to admonish officers. https://t.co/H1X1hIPDVz
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 26, 2025
The CM’s counsel argued that the case should not proceed until the commission first ruled on its maintainability. The bench agreed that a written reply should be submitted at the next hearing, after which an order on jurisdiction would be issued.
CM Afridi was granted exemption from personal appearance during the next proceedings, and the hearing was adjourned until Dec 4. Later in the day, his lawyer formally filed a challenge to the ECP’s jurisdiction in the case.
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