ISLAMABAD: Five members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have officially been declared absconders in terrorism-related cases filed in Islamabad.
Court advertisements issued for two cases by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Islamabad identify the five individuals as absconders. Besides Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the accused include Meena Khan, Amjad Ali, Shafiullah Jan, and Iqbal Afridi.
The court has directed all five to appear within 30 days, warning that non-compliance will lead to further legal action under the law.
Judicial authorities explained that this step was taken after repeated failures by the accused to respond to summons.
Police sources revealed that these individuals are part of a larger group of PTI lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who face criminal charges in Islamabad.
According to police sources, most of the PTI lawmakers involved have yet to secure bail from any court.
Reports indicate that nearly 80% of PTI members in the provincial assembly are dealing with cases registered in the federal capital.
Among 92 PTI assembly members, at least 70 are reportedly wanted by Islamabad Police, based on records collected by law enforcement agencies.
Chief Minister Afridi is specifically wanted in connection with at least 11 separate cases, seven of which are registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act , along with charges related to assaults on police officers.
His designation as an absconder represents a significant development, marking the first time a sitting provincial chief executive is formally implicated in terrorism-related legal proceedings.
