Chief Minister Sohail Afridi declared fugitive, given 30 days

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday declared Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi a fugitive in connection with two pending cases, court sources said.

Along with the chief minister, provincial ministers Meena Khan, Shafi Jan, Amjad Ali and Iqbal Afridi were also declared fugitives in the same cases. The court directed all five accused to appear before it within 30 days, warning that further legal action would be initiated if they fail to comply.

According to court records, the cases stem from protests held on November 26, 2024, for which a first information report (FIR) was registered at Ramna Police Station in Islamabad. The charges are being heard under anti-terrorism laws.

Police sources said multiple cases related to the protests are pending against members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with approximately 80 percent of PTI members of the assembly in Islamabad facing legal proceedings. Islamabad Police have reportedly identified around 70 PTI MPAs who are wanted in various cases.

Officials added that details of the registered cases have been compiled and submitted, noting that the majority of the accused lawmakers have not obtained pre-arrest bail from any court.

The cases remain under investigation, and further proceedings are expected following the expiry of the court’s 30-day deadline.