ATC Islamabad has initiated offender proceedings against Sohail Afridi and several other accused
The Islamabad District Court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he repeatedly failed to appear in court in a case involving misleading allegations against state institutions and damaging their reputation.
Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah on Thursday presided over the hearing of a case filed under the PECA Act, in which the National Cyber Crime Agency (NCCIA) had accused Sohail Afridi of making false statements. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Afridi and his lawyer did not appear in court on the scheduled date.
The court had already issued arrest warrants for Afridi on December 11, following his initial absence from the proceedings. However, today’s decision marks an escalation, with the court issuing non-bailable arrest warrants in light of his continued non-compliance.
NCCIA officials and the investigator in the case were present in court, while Afridi’s legal team was conspicuously absent. Following the latest ruling, the court adjourned the case until January 3, 2026, giving Afridi time to comply with the subpoena or face other legal consequences.
Earlier, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad had initiated criminal proceedings against Sohail Afridi and several other accused. By order of the court, summons notices for the accused were posted in several locations, including at the court complex, ordering them to appear in court.
The notices name Sohail Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafi Ullah Jan and Amjad Afridi, directing them to appear before the court. According to the notices, the defendants have either failed to comply with court orders or are absconding, prompting the court to take legal action.
The court stressed that this would be the last opportunity for the accused to appear in court. He said if the accused fail to appear during the proceedings under Section 87, they will be declared offenders and other legal action will follow.
Sohail Afridi was granted protective bail by the Peshawar High Court until December 9, barring his arrest during that period.
