Islamabad court orders arrest of KP CM

A court in Islamabad on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear before the court multiple times in a case related to alleged remarks against state institutions.

Judge Abbas Shah issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of the KP CM. He noted that the chief minister did not turn up in court despite repeated summons.

Citing his perpetual absence, the court directed law enforcement agencies arrest Afridi and produce him before the court.

The judge put off the hearing until February 10.

The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under various sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). 

According to the prosecution, the chief minister damaged the reputation of state institutions by making remarks against them.

Apart from this matter, Afridi is also facing proceedings before an anti-terrorism court in connection with his alleged involvement in the November 26 protest held in Islamabad.