ISLAMABAD – A local court in Islamabad once again on Thursday ordered the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear before the court in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Civil Judge Abbas Shah, who is presiding over proceedings related to allegations that Sohail Afridi made statements against state institutions, passed the order after hearing the case.
Despite being summoned, the chief minister did not appear before the court.
During the hearing, the court upheld the previously issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Afridi and reaffirmed its directive to law enforcement authorities to arrest him and produce him before the court at the next hearing.
The judge observed that the accused had once again failed to comply with the court’s orders, prompting the continuation of the arrest warrants.
Following the proceedings, the hearing was adjourned until July 21 due to the unavailability of Civil Judge Abbas Shah.
According to court records, the case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the PECA law. Investigators allege that Afridi made statements on electronic platforms that contained accusations against state institutions, leading authorities to initiate legal proceedings.
The prosecution has maintained that the accused is required to appear before the court to face the charges, while the court has repeatedly directed him to ensure his attendance.
The case has attracted much public and political attention because it involves a sitting provincial chief minister facing legal proceedings under Pakistan’s cybercrime legislation.
With the non-bailable arrest warrants remaining in force, law enforcement agencies have been directed to implement the court’s orders and produce Sohail Afridi before the court when the case resumes on July 21.
The matter is expected to remain under close scrutiny as further legal proceedings determine the next course of action in the case.
