Peshawar High Court petition seeks recovery of ‘missing’ KP chief minister
Sohail Afridi is missing, his brother tells the Peshawar High Court. Governor Kundi says the KP chief minister is in “safe hands” under protective custody.
Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
Suspended KP CM Sohail Afridi surrounded by reporters and supporters, taking selfies.
KP government/File
The Peshawar High Court has received a petition seeking the recovery of suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who went missing on Oct. 11. His brother, Muhammad Aamir, filed it, alleging armed men abducted Afridi from the Chief Minister's House amid governor's rule and an emergency in the province.
Where is Sohail Afridi?
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi confirmed on Monday that Afridi is in protective custody and in “safe hands.” His brother's petition disputes this, alleging armed, masked men abducted him and that information about his whereabouts is being withheld. It seeks his immediate recovery.
What does the petition filed in the Peshawar High Court say?
Aamir filed a constitutional petition seeking Afridi's immediate recovery. It alleges the chief minister was unlawfully detained and describes the alleged abduction as a serious violation of the Constitution. The petition claims the men took Afridi in the presence of Peshawar's Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).
It argues that depriving an elected chief minister of his liberty and withholding information about his whereabouts raises serious constitutional concerns.
The petitioner asked the court to direct the CCPO to provide details of the alleged abduction and the security arrangements in place at the time. He also sought an independent investigation, the identification of those allegedly involved and legal action against them.
The petition further requests the preservation of CCTV footage, security records and other evidence. It urges the court to intervene immediately to protect Afridi's life and liberty, warning that any delay could put his life at risk.
What has Governor Kundi said about Afridi's custody?
Kundi said Afridi would be released if no cases were registered against him. Otherwise, he would be formally arrested and “would have to face” the charges.
Under the imposition of governor's rule, Kundi has been vested with the powers of the province's chief executive.
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