The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who challenged a notice issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concerning his statements made during the NA-18 Haripur by-election campaign last year.
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court, consisting of Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali, announced the reserved verdict, rejecting Afridi’s plea.
The ECP had issued the notice to Afridi in November 2025, citing remarks he made at a public gathering in Havelian ahead of the Haripur by-election. The commission alleged that Afridi’s speech contained threatening and provocative language directed at government officials, police, and election staff.
the ECP, these statements violated the election code of conduct and the provisions of the Elections Act, 2017. The commission expressed concern that such remarks could intimidate election officials and potentially influence the by-election’s conduct.
Following the notice, Afridi approached the Peshawar High Court, contesting the ECP’s proceedings and questioning the commission’s jurisdiction and the maintainability of the case.
In January 2026, the court had granted interim relief by restraining the ECP from issuing any final adverse order against Afridi, while permitting the commission to continue its proceedings. This interim protection was extended in June, with the court directing the ECP not to take any adverse action against Afridi until further orders.
On October 3, the court gave Afridi’s legal team a final chance to present arguments after multiple adjournments, warning that no further delays would be allowed and scheduling the hearing for October 7.
The ECP argued that its proceedings had already been heard on merit and contended that the high court petition was no longer effective.
The controversy originated from the NA-18 Haripur by-election held on November 23, 2025. The ECP took notice of Afridi’s speech prior to the election, while Afridi maintained that his remarks were taken out of context and denied campaigning for any candidate.
The ECP later dismissed allegations of irregularities in the by-election, stating that complaints regarding the election’s conduct should be addressed through the election tribunal rather than public statements.
Leave an opinion