ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 — An Islamabad district and sessions court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The decision comes after Afridi repeatedly failed to appear in a cybercrime case.
Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah issued the warrant on Wednesday. Afridi did not attend the hearing despite multiple summons. The court ordered his arrest and production before the bench.
The hearing has been adjourned until February 10. The warrant specifically relates to allegations of misleading statements against state institutions.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The CM allegedly made statements that could harm the reputation of government bodies.
Apart from the cybercrime case, CM Afridi faces proceedings in an anti-terrorism court. This relates to his alleged role in the November 26 Islamabad protest.
He is also involved in a case before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The allegations include a violation of the code of conduct during a recent National Assembly by-election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A day earlier, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) restrained the ECP from taking any final action against CM Afridi. This relates to an alleged threat against government officials during the Haripur by-election.
A two-member bench of Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Faheem Wali heard the writ petition filed by Afridi. His lawyer, Bashir Khan Wazir, appeared before the court and argued that the speech in question was delivered outside the by-election constituency.
The counsel said CM Afridi was on a province-wide tour announcing development projects when the ECP notice was issued. Despite this, the ECP initiated proceedings against him.
Justice Arshad Ali asked whether the ECP decision had been formally received. Afridi’s lawyer confirmed it had just arrived and was attached to a supplementary application. The court summoned the official record and adjourned the hearing briefly.
Officials said the arrest warrant for CM Afridi reflects the court’s strict stance on repeated non-appearances. Authorities confirmed that further legal procedures would continue in accordance with the law. Read more about Islamabad preparing to launch key road projects and upcoming infrastructure plans.
The case has drawn significant public attention, as it involves multiple legal fronts including cybercrime, anti-terrorism proceedings, and election code violations.
Legal experts say the situation highlights growing accountability pressures on political leaders and the judiciary’s role in enforcing court orders.
