Sohail Afridi faces legal challenge and protests in Pakistan

The Federal Constitutional Court has admitted a petition seeking to nullify the election of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The petition, filed by MNA Sher Afzal Marwat, also requests the reinstatement of Ali Amin Gandapur as Chief Minister.

Marwat argued that Gandapur did not resign voluntarily but was directed to do so by Imran Khan. The petitioner contended that since Khan was allegedly ineligible at the time of the instruction, the resignation constitutes an attempt to run the state through a proxy, which violates constitutional principles. The court has issued notices to the provincial government, Sohail Afridi, and the Attorney General, scheduling further hearings for the second week of October.

Simultaneously, political unrest has erupted following Sohail Afridi’s visit to Lahore. Police arrested 14 PTI workers during protests involving road blockades and chanting. Multiple cases have been registered against activists for violating Section 144 and interfering with state affairs. Authorities also reported that some suspects resisted arrest, resulting in damage to a police uniform.