ATC Islamabad initiated proclaimed offender proceedings against Sohail Afridi and several other accused
The Islamabad district court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after his repeated failure to appear before the court in connection with a case involving misleading allegations against state institutions and damage to his reputation.
Civil Judge Abbas Shah conducted the hearing on Thursday on a case filed under the PECA Act, in which the National Cyber Crime Agency (NCCIA) had accused Sohail Afridi of making false statements. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Afridi and his lawyer did not appear in court as scheduled.
The court had previously issued bailable arrest warrants for Afridi on December 11, following his initial absence from the proceedings. However, today’s ruling marks an escalation, as the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants in light of his continued non-compliance.
NCCIA officials and the investigation officer of the case were present in court, while Afridi’s legal team was noticeably absent. Following the latest ruling, the court adjourned the case until January 3, 2026, giving Afridi time to comply with the subpoena or face further legal consequences.
Earlier, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad initiated proclaimed offender proceedings against 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.
Sohail Afridi was granted protective bail by the Peshawar High Court till December 9, barring his arrest during that period.
