An Islamabad district court on Monday ordered the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and directed police to produce him before the court in a case related to alleged misleading statements against state institutions. The court was hearing a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), concerning allegations that the chief minister made false claims aimed at damaging the credibility of state institutions. Due to his continued absence from court proceedings, the judge upheld the non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued against Sohail Afridi and directed law enforcement authorities to ensure his appearance at the next hearing.
Case Adjourned Until July 9
The case was adjourned until July 9. The court emphasized the necessity of the chief minister's presence to proceed with the legal process. This development marks a significant escalation in the legal scrutiny faced by the provincial leader.
KP Assembly Approves Supplementary Budget
Separately, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Sunday approved a supplementary budget worth more than Rs121.47 billion to meet additional financial requirements during the current fiscal year. According to the approved budget, Rs50.49 billion has been allocated for current expenditures, while Rs71.73 billion has been earmarked for development projects across various government departments.
Detailed Allocations
The supplementary allocations include Rs7.53 billion for the police, Rs4.12 billion for the administration of justice, Rs7.5 billion for local councils, Rs7.35 billion for relief activities, and Rs3 billion each for merged districts and debt servicing. Officials said the additional funds would support urgent expenditure, accelerate development projects, strengthen security measures, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services across the province.
