ATC Maintains Arrest Warrants for KP CM Sohail Afridi

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday maintained arrest warrants against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other accused in a case connected to the November 26 protest, keeping the legal proceedings against prominent political figures active. The court also rejected requests seeking exemption from personal appearance for accused persons who did not attend the hearing.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Supra conducted the proceedings and maintained warrants against Afridi, Abdul Ghani Afridi, PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar and other accused. The court ordered warrants for those who remained absent and directed the police to move ahead with the required legal process rather than allowing the case to remain stalled because of repeated non-appearances.

The court was informed that proceedings aimed at declaring Afridi and other accused proclaimed offenders were also continuing. Such proceedings had been initiated after repeated failures by some of the accused to appear before the court despite earlier judicial orders. The judge directed investigators to submit the challan against Afridi and the other defendants as soon as possible, making completion of the investigation record a key requirement before the case advances further.

The case was registered at Islamabad's Margalla Police Station in connection with the November 26 protest. Police have linked the proceedings to allegations arising from unrest surrounding the demonstration. Afridi has faced multiple legal cases in Islamabad, while previous court proceedings have included attempts by law-enforcement teams to secure his appearance and judicial measures concerning his repeated absence.

Earlier stages of the case saw courts issue warrants and begin proclamation-related proceedings against several accused. Afridi had previously obtained protective relief from the Peshawar High Court in connection with cases registered against him, while the Islamabad proceedings continued separately. The latest order means that the arrest warrants in the November 26 case remain in force and that the defendants have not secured exemption from appearing before the trial court.

The development carries political significance because Afridi is serving as chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and remains a senior figure associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. His legal difficulties are unfolding as the party continues political mobilisation and prepares for further protests. The overlap between court proceedings involving senior PTI figures and the party's wider campaign is likely to keep relations between provincial political leaders and authorities in Islamabad under close scrutiny.

The court has adjourned further proceedings until September 30. Before that date, police have been instructed to submit the challan, while the status of the warrants and proclamation proceedings will remain important issues for the accused. The next hearing is expected to clarify whether the defendants appear before the court, whether investigators complete the required documentation and what further legal steps the judge considers necessary in the November 26 protest case.