Afridi faces multiple FIRs and arson charges linked to protests, with separate cybercrime cases pending
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo:
The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court on Thursday initiated proclaimed offender proceedings against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other accused.
By court order, notices summoning the defendants were displayed at multiple locations, including the Judicial Complex, directing them to appear in court.
The notices name Sohail Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafi Ullah Jan and Amjad Afridi, and order them to appear before the court. According to the notices, the defendants failed to comply with court orders or fled, prompting the court to take legal action.
The court has stressed that this would be the defendant’s last opportunity to appear.
He declared that if the accused do not appear during the process provided for in Article 87, they will be found guilty and further legal measures will be taken.
Read: Imran’s sisters and others accused of terrorism
According to police records, multiple FIRs have been lodged against Sohail Afridi at police stations in Islamabad. The ATC issued arrest warrants for Afridi in November in a case of alleged arson during the November 26 protest. The Islamabad Cyber Crime Unit has registered two separate cases against Afridi.
Sohail Afridi was granted protective bail by the Peshawar High Court till December 9, barring his arrest during that period.
D-Chowk protest
On November 13, 2023, Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party members, and the revocation of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had strengthened a “dictatorial regime.”
The protest took place at D-Chowk, Islamabad, where his supporters traveled from different provinces to heed Khan’s call.
Officials ruled out negotiations and police began an operation to disperse the participants. The PTI leaders left the scene during the action. The protest ended after the security operation on November 26.
