PHC extends protective bail for CM, lawmakers

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday extended the protective bail of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Senator Khurram Zeeshan, Senator Mishal Yousafzai, MNA Muhammad Atif Khan and Shahid Khattak, while also seeking fresh reports from the federal government and other relevant authorities.

A division bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Naeem Anwar heard the petition seeking details of cases registered against Chief Minister Afridi. Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmanzai and the chief minister's counsel Bashir Wazir informed the court that several federal institutions had not yet submitted their replies. The bench subsequently extended the CM's protective bail until December 17 and directed authorities to provide complete case records.

In a separate hearing, Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Dr Khurshid Iqbal took up the petitions of Senator Mishal Yousafzai, MNA Atif Khan and Shahid Khattak. Representatives from NAB, FIA, the Additional Advocate General and Assistant Attorney General Muhammad Ishaq Khalil appeared before the court. The bench was informed that FIA had not submitted its report in Atif Khan's case, while nine cases were registered against Shahid Khattak in Islamabad. The court was also told that the K-P IGP's reports in all three matters were still pending.

Expressing displeasure over the delay, Justice Sahibzada Asadullah remarked that both sides were "making a mockery of the process and wasting the court's time," warning that the proceedings could be adjourned indefinitely if reports were not submitted. The court then adjourned the hearing and extended protective bail for all petitioners.

In a third related case, a bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Waqar Ahmad heard Senator Khurram Zeeshan's petition seeking details of cases against him. The court barred authorities from arresting the senator in any registered case. Zeeshan, who appeared in person, told the court he needed to attend Senate sessions and had official engagements in Islamabad, expressing fear of arrest. The court sought reports from the federal government and other concerned departments and directed that he not be detained in any case until further orders.