The NCCIA investigation found that the accused “deliberately” published offensive and defamatory statements against state institutions.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi made a controversial statement at a press conference outside Adiala jail. SCREENSHOT
The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has filed a case against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly making “false, misleading, derogatory and intimidating” remarks against state institutions, according to an FIR filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
The FIR was lodged against Muhammad Sohail, son of Muhammad Sattar, a resident of Bara, Khyber, under sections 11, 20 and 26-A of PECA. The registration follows the conclusion of an investigation which concluded on November 8, 2025.
The investigation revealed that the accused “knowingly and deliberately used malicious intent” to publish statements deemed offensive and defamatory of state institutions. These remarks were broadcast on social media platforms, including a YouTube channel associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) media network.
The video in question, titled ‘Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi speaks to media outside Adiala Jail’, allegedly contains statements described in the FIR as ‘profane’, ‘baseless’ and intended to malign the reputation and integrity of state institutions.
According to the FIR, the content was shared publicly with the intention of “undermining public confidence in state institutions, inciting racial hatred, creating unrest and destabilizing national security”. It further states that Muhammad Sohail “prepared, published and disseminated misleading content” aimed at causing “violence, panic, fear, disorder and agitation among the public”.
The case is being investigated by Sub-Inspector Waseem Khan of the Cyber Crime Reporting Center (CCRC), Islamabad, with formal approval from the relevant authorities.
A senior officer, addressing Express on condition of anonymity, confirmed that CM Afridi, was named in an FIR following a controversial statement. The investigation has been handed over to sub-inspector Waseem Khan of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency, who is expected to formally open the probe on Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala jail, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister defended his remarks, saying civilians and security personnel were bearing the brunt of state policy. “My civilians die, and the soldier who dies is also my brother. Both become martyrs because of bad political decisions,” he said.
He said decisions regarding the province should not be made without consulting those directly affected. “We oppose this policy that decisions should not be taken behind closed doors. KP stakeholders should be taken into confidence on these issues.”
Read: KP CM Afridi’s remarks spark backlash
Recalling past experiences of conflict in the tribal belt, the chief minister said, “You are talking about military operations, do you know how much pain military operations cause? Are you aware of it? I am, I have experienced it. I have personally lifted the bodies of ten members of my family with my own hands.”
He went on to say that in previous operations, ordinary citizens had faced serious difficulties. “When we were lifting the bodies, the security forces were shooting at us. They saw these scenes. We saw our mosques being martyred. We saw our houses destroyed. When they were thrown out of their homes, our tribal women were walking on the roads bareheaded and barefoot.”
He further claimed that disrespect towards religious places had taken place. “We also saw that the security forces tied up dogs in our mosques, and when we said it was disrespectful to the mosque, they said that these dogs and you are the same. Despite this, see our patience, we always say that the army is ours and the country is ours.”
