In a significant legal development, KP CM Sohail Afridi and five provincial lawmakers have been officially declared proclaimed offenders by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad amid terror-related proceedings, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing political-legal turmoil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to official notices issued on Wednesday, the ATC has named Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, along with MPAs Meena Khan Afridi, Amjad Ali, Shafiullah Jan, and Iqbal Afridi, as proclaimed offenders in two separate cases registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
The court advertisements, published under judicial order, list the accused as absconders for their repeated failure to appear before the court in connection with proceedings stemming from protests on November 26. The ATC has given all five a 30-day deadline to present themselves in court before further legal actions, including property attachment, are pursued under the law.
Officials said the proclamations follow directives from ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, who initiated the process after multiple non-appearances by the accused, reinforcing that the judiciary will pursue strict compliance in terror-linked cases.
This latest twist comes amid broader political controversy surrounding the KP chief minister, who has faced other legal challenges and scrutiny, including criticism over his remarks on security operations and civil-military issues. In a related development, CM Afridi’s comments on matters involving senior security establishment figures sparked debate, with some referring to punishment as an army-related matter rather than a political issue, highlighting the complex backdrop against which these legal actions unfold.
Legal experts suggest the moves could have far-reaching political consequences in KP, intensifying tensions between provincial leadership and federal institutions as the deadline approaches for court appearances.
KP CM Sohail Afridi Declared Proclaimed Offender remains a top story as Pakistan watches closely how this legal and political drama unfolds.
