Sohail Afridi Absconder Proceedings Begin in Peshawar
A Peshawar Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday began proceedings to declare Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi an absconder in the case over the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar during the May 9 and 10 violence, The Express Tribune reported.
The court ordered notices under Section 87 of the Code of Criminal Procedure against Afridi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Aamir Chamkani, after police told the court that the two nominated accused could not be located.
Court acts after police fail to arrest Sohail Afridi
Detective Foot Constable Muhammad Iqbal of East Cantonment Police Station told the court that arrest warrants issued under Section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure against Afridi and Chamkani could not be executed despite all efforts. After reviewing the police report, the court directed that notices under Section 87 be issued against both men. It also ordered a notice to the police official concerned for recording a confirmatory statement.
According to the prosecution, the absconder notices will be affixed at the residences and offices of the two accused. If they still fail to appear, proceedings under Section 512 of the Code of Criminal Procedure will begin to formally declare them proclaimed offenders, after which permanent arrest warrants are likely to follow.
Afridi and Chamkani were named in the case along with Rahman Jalal, Abbas, Attaullah, Hamza Ghazanfar, Haroon, Mashhood Hassan, Khalid Khan Afridi and others. Police have so far declared the accused as absconders.
Separately, former provincial ministers Irfan Saleem, Kamran Bangash and Taimur Saleem appeared in court in connection with their interim bails. Their counsel, Inamullah Yousafzai, submitted an application about their attendance.
The Radio Pakistan attack case
The attack on Radio Pakistan’s Peshawar station took place during widespread protests that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. Protesters entered the premises after breaking through the main gate, set fire to the building and vehicles, and damaged equipment.
The arson caused extensive damage to the historic broadcasting station, which began operating in 1935 and was among Pakistan’s oldest radio stations. More than 80 PTI leaders and workers were initially reported to have been nominated in cases linked to the violence and the attack on Radio Pakistan.
Afridi was added as an accused on the request of Radio Pakistan. In November 2025, an ATC directed prosecution witnesses and the investigating officer to appear with the relevant case property. The proceedings then focused on establishing the identities of those allegedly involved through video footage, photographs and forensic evidence.
What happens next for Afridi
The absconder proceedings add to the legal pressure on Afridi in the same week that he approached the Federal Constitutional Court. Afridi has petitioned the court over the opposition’s role in the province, in a case that also involves other opposition leaders.
The May 9 cases continue to move through the courts across the country. Usman Akram was sent on judicial remand in a May 9 case this week, while the Islamabad High Court barred Imran Khan’s lawyers from politics in the 190 million pound case. The wider debate over new provinces, which Afridi’s party opposes, also continues, with ministers saying new provinces need parliament and provincial assemblies.
For now, the Peshawar court will wait for the Section 87 notices to be served. If Afridi and Chamkani do not appear, the court can declare them proclaimed offenders and issue permanent warrants.
Frequently asked questions
What has the Peshawar ATC ordered against Sohail Afridi?
The court has begun absconder proceedings against Afridi and Aamir Chamkani in the Radio Pakistan attack case. It ordered notices under Section 87 of the Code of Criminal Procedure after police said the two men could not be located.
What is the Radio Pakistan attack case?
The case concerns the attack, vandalism and arson at Radio Pakistan’s Peshawar station during the protests of May 9 and 10, 2023, after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Protesters set fire to the building and vehicles.
What happens if Afridi does not appear in court?
The notices will be affixed at the residences and offices of the accused. If they still fail to appear, proceedings under Section 512 will begin to declare them proclaimed offenders, and permanent arrest warrants are likely to follow.
Who else is named in the case?
Aamir Chamkani, Rahman Jalal, Abbas, Attaullah, Hamza Ghazanfar, Haroon, Mashhood Hassan, Khalid Khan Afridi and others were named along with Afridi.
When did the Radio Pakistan station in Peshawar begin operating?
The station began operating in 1935 and was among Pakistan’s oldest radio stations. The May 2023 arson caused extensive damage to the building.
