ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued a show-cause notice to an investigating officer over his failure to submit a challan in a case pertaining to the Nov 26 protest in which Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, PTI leader Junaid Akbar and several other political figures have been nominated.

When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra expressed strong displeasure over prolonged delay in the submission of the challan.

The judge asked the investigating officer to explain why the challan had not been submitted, warning that delays in the legal process could not be tolerated. In an indirect reference to any justification for the failure, the judge remarked, “This is a matter between police and Sohail Afridi. I want the challan.”

“Whether the police arrest him or do whatever they want is not my concern. The court requires the completion of the legal process.”

Proceedings against Imran, others put off in prohibited funding case for lack of challan

The court subsequently issued a formal show-cause notice to the investigating officer, seeking an explanation for the delay, and adjourned the hearing to a later date.

The case stems from a protest held on Nov 26, 2024 that led to the registration of a criminal case at Margalla police station against Mr Afridi and other protesters. Law enforcement authorities had initiated an investigation into the matter, but their repeated failures to submit the challan drew judicial scrutiny.

PTI funding case

Also, due to the non-submission of a challan, a banking court adjourned the proceedings against PTI founder Imran Khan and others in the prohibited funding case.

Special Prosecutor Wasiq Malik and the investigation officer appeared before the court.

Explaining progress on the challan preparation and submission in the funding case, the investigation officer informed the court the challan had already been completed and handed over to relevant authorities for legal processing.

“The challan has been finalised and submitted to the departments concerned,” the investigation officer apprised Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar, who was presiding over the case hearing.

“The deputy director, legal, is completing the formal legal process, after which it will be submitted to the court within a few days.”

After these assurances, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until Feb 10, directing that the challan be formally submitted before the next date of hearing.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2026