Peshawar, October 16, 2025: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday granted interim protective bail to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi until November 18, restraining authorities from arresting him in any pending cases.
A two-member bench comprising Senior Puisne Judge Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar heard the petition filed by Afridi, who appeared before the court in person. The plea came days after his swearing-in ended a political impasse over the province’s top office.
During the proceedings, Justice Ijaz questioned the provincial advocate general about the number of cases registered against Afridi. Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel replied that the authorities were still verifying the details, remarking that “it is possible there might even be one against me.”
The bench accepted Afridi’s request and directed that he not be arrested until the next hearing, ordering that details of any criminal complaints be submitted to the court by November 18.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Afridi said the federal authorities “must understand that the chief minister of a province is coming,” referring to his planned visit to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
The chief minister said he had not yet met the PTI founder since his imprisonment and denied reports about his cabinet formation, terming them “fake.” He added that the provincial cabinet would be finalised only after consulting Khan.
On Wednesday, the KP Home Department had requested Punjab authorities to facilitate Afridi’s visit to Adiala Jail. However, later in the day, the PTI claimed that authorities had prevented the meeting, calling the move “the real anti-Pakistan act.”
Addressing supporters near Adiala Jail, Afridi said he had spoken to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier in the day and requested permission for the meeting. “He assured me he would look into it, but there’s been no follow-up,” the CM said.
Afridi added that the provincial government would pursue all legal and constitutional means to arrange the meeting. “If justice is not served despite following lawful procedures, peaceful protest remains our constitutional right,” he said.
