ISLAMABAD: Summon notices were displayed across Islamabad and its judicial complex on Thursday after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) initiated proclamation proceedings through public advertisement against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several others for failing to appear in court.

In compliance with the court’s directions, officials posted summons notices at prominent public locations and within Judicial Complex.

The proclamations specifically ask Sohail Afridi, Meena Khan, Amjad Khan, Shafiullah Jan, and Amjad Afridi to appear before the court immediately to face ongoing legal proceedings.

The court took action under Section 87 of the Anti-Terrorism Act after noting the suspects were “continuously avoiding court appearances and not complying with earlier summons”.

Officials post summon notices at judicial complex, public places in Islamabad

The court stated in its order that the defendants’ repeated absence left the bench with “no option but to initiate proclamation proceedings”.

The court has granted the group a final opportunity to surrender. The notices warned that if the accused fail to appear during the proceedings under Section 87, the court “will proceed with further legal action in accordance with the law”.

The case stems from an FIR registered in connection with a Nov 26 protest, in which the chief minister and the other named individuals were nominated as accused.

Earlier on Dec 17, ATC Judge Abual Mohammad Hasnat Zulqarnain initiated proceedings to declare CM Afridi, provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi and Shafiullah Jan Iqbal Afridi as proclaimed offenders for repeatedly failing to appear before the court.

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.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2025