Afridi faces multiple FIRs, charges of arson linked to protests, with separate cybercrime cases pending
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Photo: X
The anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Thursday began a proclaimed trial against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other accused persons.
Following court orders, notices summoning the accused were displayed at several places, including the judiciary directing them to appear in court.
The orders name Sohail Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafi Ullah Jan and Amjad Afridi, directing them to appear in court. According to the notices, the accused have either failed to comply with court orders or are on the run, prompting the court to proceed with the case.
The court emphasized that this would be the last opportunity for the accused to appear.
It stated that if the accused do not appear for the trial under Section 87, they will be declared offenders and further legal action will follow.
Read: Imran’s sisters, others accused of terrorism
According to police records, several FIRs have been lodged against Sohail Afridi in police stations across Islamabad. The ATC issued arrest warrants for Afridi in November in a case involving alleged arson during the November 26 protest. The Cyber Crime Wing in Islamabad has registered two separate cases against Afridi.
Sohail Afridi obtained protective bail from the Peshawar High Court till December 9, preventing his arrest during that period.
D-Chowk protest
On 13 November 2023, Imran Khan issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on 24 November, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party members and the rollback of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had empowered a “dictatorial regime”.
The protest took place in D-Chowk, Islamabad where supporters traveled from different provinces to listen to Khan’s call.
Officials ruled out negotiations and police launched an operation to disperse the participants. PTI leaders left the place during the action. The protest ended after the security operation on 26 November.
