ISLAMABAD: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abual Mohammad Hasnat Zulqarnain on Tuesday initiated proceedings to declare Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi and Shafiullah Jan Iqbal Afridi as proclaimed offenders for repeatedly failing to appear before the court in connection with the November 26 protest case.

During the hearing, none of the accused appeared despite repeated summons. Taking notice of their continuous absence, the court initiated proclamation proceedings against all three and adjourned the hearing.

A case has been registered against CM Afridi and others at Ramna police station over their alleged involvement in the November 26 protest.

Earlier, the same court had initiated similar proceedings against the chief minister and other accused in another case registered at Noon police station.

Accused fail to appear before court in connection with Nov 26 protest case

Meanwhile, in a separate development, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued notices on a petition filed by PTI lawyers seeking the removal of terrorism provisions from a case related to alleged violence against Khawar Manika during proceedings of a marriage case pertaining to the Iddat period.

During the hearing, senior lawyer Babar Awan appeared on behalf of the PTI lawyers and submitted a petition under Section 23, requesting the abolition of terrorism charges from the case. The court issued notices on the petition and directed all parties to present arguments at the next hearing.

Further proceedings were adjourned until January 16. The case involving alleged violence against Khawar Manika has been registered against PTI lawyers at Ramna police station.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025