A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in a case related to alleged misleading statements against state institutions.
The court ordered that he be arrested and produced before it on March 9.
The case pertains to allegations that Sohail Afridi made misleading claims against state institutions and damaged their reputation. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered the case against the chief minister under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Authorities claim the statements in question fall under provisions of the cybercrime law. The matter was heard in the District and Sessions Courts, Islamabad, by Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah.
During the hearing, the court formally charged Sohail Afridi in connection with the allegations. Due to his absence from the proceedings, the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant.
Arrest ordered before next hearing
Senior Civil Judge Abbas Shah directed law enforcement authorities to arrest Sohail Afridi and produce him before the court on March 9.
The issuance of a non-bailable warrant signals the court’s directive that the accused must appear in person at the next hearing. Further legal proceedings will continue once he is presented before the court.
