Islamabad Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrants for K-P CM Sohail Afridi

 Islamabad - A District and Sessions Court on Saturday slapped non-bailable arrest warrants on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear in court over allegations of misleading statements against state institutions.

Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah directed authorities to arrest Afridi and produce him before the court, with the next hearing set for January 17, Tribune reported.

The case, registered by the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, accuses Afridi of making statements that allegedly harmed the credibility of state institutions. PECA, Pakistan’s main legal framework for cybercrimes and electronic offences, has been increasingly invoked in high-profile political cases.

Afridi’s legal trouble comes amid his push to expand Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s street movement across Sindh. After a three-day Punjab tour and a protest letter to Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz over what he described as “hostile treatment,” Afridi is gearing up for a Karachi visit on January 9 to rally support ahead of a major show of strength on February 8, following the 17-year sentencing of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in the Toshakhana-II case.

Political analysts suggest the timing of the warrants could further escalate tensions between PTI and the establishment, as Afridi is seen as a key mobilizer in Khan’s nationwide campaign. PTI sources say Afridi remains determined to continue the movement despite the court orders, signaling a possible standoff in the coming weeks.

This marks yet another legal hurdle for Afridi, who has emerged as a central figure in PTI’s efforts to maintain momentum amid mounting political and judicial pressures.

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