Islamabad, November 20, 2025: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday took notice of what it described as “irresponsible and threatening” remarks made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding the upcoming NA-18 Haripur by-election.
While addressing a public gathering in Havelian, Abbottabad, on Wednesday, Afridi warned against any attempt to influence the result of the November 23 by-poll. The ECP, in a strongly worded press release, said the KP chief minister had “threatened the district administration, police, and polling staff and incited the crowd and the wider public.”
The statement added that Afridi’s conduct had “not only made the holding of a peaceful by-election difficult, but also endangered the lives of election staff, voters, police, and the administration.”
The electoral watchdog issued notices to CM Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, wife of PTI leader Omar Ayub and the party’s candidate for NA-18, for violating the Elections Act, 2017, and the ECP Code of Conduct. Both have been summoned on Friday.
Shehrnaz is contesting her first election after the seat fell vacant due to her husband’s disqualification in August following his convictions in cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots.
The ECP has directed the provincial election commissioner to hold an urgent meeting with KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the provincial police chief to firm up security arrangements. A report has been ordered to be submitted to the commission.
The watchdog informed the chief secretary that Afridi’s speech was in “direct contravention” of Section 170 of the Elections Act, 2017, and Clauses 10 and 18 of the Code of Conduct.
The commission also warned that any attempt by an individual or public office-holder to disrupt or interfere with the electoral process would result in “strict legal action.” Similar instructions were issued to the Punjab election commissioner, where by-polls are also scheduled.
Separately, ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan wrote to Interior Secretary retired Captain Khurram Agha, seeking deployment of civil armed forces and the Pakistan Army for “foolproof security arrangements” in NA-18.
Afridi’s criticism of institutions
In his speech, Afridi had intensified criticism of “state institutions,” accusing them of failing to uphold justice and democratic norms. He predicted a decisive victory for PTI-backed Shehrnaz on November 23, saying there was “no real contest” in Haripur.
Several PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Senator Faisal Javed, MNA Junaid Akbar, MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon, former MNA Uzma Riaz and Momina Basit, also addressed the rally.
Shehrnaz vs Babar Nawaz: A high-stakes contest
Observers describe the evolving political landscape of NA-18, a largely rural but politically active constituency, as a compelling contest between PTI-backed Shehrnaz and PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz Khan, a former MNA (2015–2018).
Babar has secured strong backing from party leadership, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s husband retired Captain Safdar Awan. Speaking on behalf of the Punjab government, Safdar recently announced a 100-bed hospital and a sports stadium in Pehdiyan village using Punjab’s funds.
He also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved a Daanish School, a women’s university, a lake bridge at Tarbela, and a job quota for Haripur.
Political analysts note that Haripur’s politics continue to be shaped by patronage networks rather than ideological alignments. Despite its sizeable electorate, the district has never elected a woman to either the provincial or national legislature through a direct vote.
