Sohail Afridi

Arrest warrants were issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he failed to appear in court multiple times in a case involving alleged misleading statements and defamation of state institutions. Former senator Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry petitioned the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court's refusal to suspend his sentence for alleged involvement in conspiracy meetings linked to violent events.

Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) initiated proclamation proceedings against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, PTI leader Junaid Akbar, and Abdul Ghani Afridi for failing to appear in court despite non-bailable arrest warrants issued on June 23, 2026. The case relates to a November 26 protest, and the court adjourned until September 9 to complete legal formalities.

A police official was killed and 10 others injured when terrorists attacked Miryan Police Station in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, using a vehicle loaded with explosives. Security forces foiled the attack, resulting in multiple casualties among terrorists, though some fled. The district has faced repeated violence, including prior attacks on the station.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati referred a controversial law expanding lawmakers' privileges to a house committee for review. The law, passed in April 2026, grants blue passports, arms licenses, and immunity to lawmakers but faced public and media criticism, prompting Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to order a review. The government aims to align the law with the 1988 Act.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government decided to withdraw controversial clauses from the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, which had expanded lawmakers’ privileges, following public backlash. The law, which included provisions like blue passports, arms licenses, and arrest immunity, will be revised to align with the 1988 law. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called for a harmonized national framework to standardize legislators’ privileges across Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi distanced himself from a new law expanding provincial assembly members' privileges, emphasizing that public money belongs to the people. The KP Assembly passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, which includes lifetime passports for members and their spouses, immunity from preventive detention, and weapon licenses. Kundi urged fiscal discipline and alignment with austerity measures amid public economic hardship.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi ordered a review of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, after public and media backlash. The law grants lawmakers lifetime official passports, immunity from preventive detention, and weapon licenses, with critics arguing it expands privileges. The CM stated amendments would be reviewed in the public interest.

A fatal bus crash in Sherani district led to an FIR against the deceased driver and Mekhtar Bus Company for reckless driving. Compensation of Rs2 million for deceased families and Rs1 million for injured passengers was announced by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Provincial chief ministers in Pakistan reaffirmed commitments to prison reforms during a Supreme Court-hosted conference, emphasizing reduced incarceration, improved infrastructure, and human dignity. The National Judicial Policy-Making Committee facilitated the event, resulting in the Islamabad Declaration on Prison Reforms, which underscores shared institutional responsibility and provincial leadership in overhauling the justice system.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated the party is not engaging in talks with the government and has not decided to boycott upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He emphasized the need for political solutions to resolve issues and criticized the removal of PTI's election symbol in certain regions.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed an Rs2.17 trillion budget for FY27, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasizing peace and development. The budget includes increased police funding, allocations for health and education, and projects like the Khyber Institute of Child Health. Afridi criticized the federal government for withholding NFC awards and delaying the Swat dam project.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi presented a Rs2.17 trillion provincial budget for FY2026-27 with an estimated fiscal deficit of Rs48 billion. The budget was approved by PTI legislators, though its presentation was delayed due to demands for a meeting with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. The government pledged to cover the deficit using local resources and rejected loans.

The Islamabad High Court referred a petition by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan for provincial budget consultations to the chief justice. The court noted that similar petitions regarding jail meetings with Imran Khan were already pending before a larger bench, and the petitioners argued the consultation was distinct due to its budget-related urgency.

PTI supporters staged a sit-in after Imran Khan’s sisters were denied access to Adiala jail. The Islamabad High Court had permitted family visits but implementation has stalled. Aleema Khan criticized the government, citing unresolved crises and called for public mobilization. Separately, the court ordered the FIA to explain a call-up notice issued to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja over social media allegations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman criticized the federal government’s handling of the National Finance Commission award, accusing it of neglecting the province. They highlighted issues like unfair NFC distribution, suspended wheat supply, inadequate gas allocation, and deteriorating security in southern districts.

A local court in Islamabad reissued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for failing to appear in a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) alleges he shared misleading content against state institutions. Separately, vlogger Sohrab Barkat was granted a four-day physical remand for a YouTube video related to the Joint Action Committee.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session has been postponed multiple times due to fears of criticism from a dissident group within the ruling PTI over Imran Khan's imprisonment. Dissident lawmakers, unhappy with not being included in the provincial cabinet, demand his release, medical treatment, and expedited court proceedings, threatening a permanent sit-in if their demands are not met.