Court issues stay order in FIR against Achakzai during hearing of petition filed by PkMAP chief
A photo of Opposition Leader and President of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREENSHOT
The Balochistan High Court on Thursday stayed all legal proceedings relating to a first information report (FIR) registered against senior opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai for alleged seditious remarks.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kamran Khan Malakhail and Justice Gul Hassan Tareen passed the stay order while hearing a petition filed by Pashtunkhwa Party President Milli Awami (PkMAP), which sought dismissal of the case.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Malakhail raised questions regarding the legal path chosen by the petitioner. He observed that since Achakzai was an elected member of the National Assembly and enjoyed parliamentary immunity, the issue should have been raised in Parliament.
The Chief Justice also asked why the petitioner did not approach the competent trial court before approaching the High Court.
In response, the defense attorney representing the veteran politician presented detailed arguments highlighting the political and legal merits of the petition, saying the case lacked proper legal basis.
The proceedings against the opposition leader were initially registered following a complaint filed by an individual. After hearing the defense’s initial arguments, the bench issued formal notices to the state and ordered a complete halt to any police or judicial action arising from the case until the next scheduled hearing.
