The NCCIA investigation found that the accused “deliberately” issued offensive and defamatory statements against state institutions.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi made a controversial statement during a media talk outside Adiala Jail. SCREEN CAPTURE
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered a case against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly making “false, misleading, derogatory and intimidating” comments against state institutions, according to an FIR filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
The FIR has been lodged against Muhammad Sohail, son of Muhammad Sattar, a resident of Bara, Khyber, under sections 11, 20 and 26-A of PECA. The registration follows the conclusion of an investigation, which was completed on November 8, 2025.
The investigation concluded that the defendants “consciously and deliberately used malicious intent” to issue statements considered offensive and defamatory towards state institutions. These comments were spread across social media platforms, including a YouTube channel associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) media network.
The video in question, titled “Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi speaks to media outside Adiala Jail”, allegedly included statements described in the FIR as “profane”, “baseless” and aimed at defaming the reputation and integrity of state institutions.
According to the FIR, the content was shared publicly with the intention to “undermine public confidence in state institutions, incite racial hatred, create unrest and destabilize national security.” It further claims that Muhammad Sohail “prepared, published and circulated misleading content” intended to cause “violence, panic, fear, disorder and unrest among the public.”
The case is being investigated by Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the Cyber Crime Complaint Center (CCRC), Islamabad, with formal approval from the relevant authorities.
A senior officer, speaking with Express On condition of anonymity, he confirmed that CM Afridi has been named in an FIR for a controversial statement. The investigation has been assigned to Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, who is scheduled to formally begin investigations on Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister defended his comments and said that both civilians and security personnel were the most affected by the state policy. “My civilians are dying, and the soldier who is dying is also my brother. They are both becoming martyrs due to wrong political decisions,” he said.
He said decisions regarding the province should not be made without consulting those directly affected. “We oppose this policy that decisions should not be made in closed spaces. KP stakeholders must have confidence in these matters.”
Read: KP CM Afridi’s comments spark backlash
Recalling past experiences of conflict in the tribal belt, the Prime Minister said: “You are talking about military operations, do you know how much pain comes from military operations? Are you aware of this? I am, I have experienced it. I have personally lifted the bodies of ten members of my family with my own hands.”
He went on to allege that during previous operations, ordinary citizens had faced serious hardships. “When we used to lift the dead bodies, the security forces used to shoot at us. You have seen those scenes. We have seen our mosques become martyrs. We have seen our houses destroyed. When they were evicted from their homes, our tribal women walked on the roads with their heads and feet bare.”
He further stated that there had been a lack of respect for religious places. “We have also seen that the security forces used to tie dogs in our mosques, and when we went and said that this is disrespectful to the mosque, they said that these dogs and you are the same. Despite that, see our patience, that we still say that the army is ours and the country is ours.”
