PHC warns Afridi counsel over delays

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a stern warning to the counsel representing Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, stating that no further adjournments will be granted in a petition challenging a notice issued to the chief minister over alleged intimidation of government officials during the Haripur by-election. A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Muhammad Fahim Wali heard the petition. During the proceedings, legal officers from the Election Commission and lawyers for Chief Minister Sohail Afridi appeared before the court. Barrister Sarwar Muzaffar Shah, counsel for the chief minister, requested an adjournment, arguing that he had only recently taken over the case and required additional time to prepare his arguments. However, the bench expressed displeasure over the repeated requests for delay and made it clear that the matter would not be postponed under any circumstances in the future. The court directed that if the petitioner's side failed to appear at the next hearing, a decision would be rendered based on the available record and in accordance with the law. The petition stems from a notice issued to the chief minister regarding allegations that government officers were intimidated during the by-election in Haripur. The case has drawn significant attention given its implications for the neutrality of the electoral process and the conduct of senior provincial officials. The bench's firm stance underscores the judiciary's determination to proceed with the case without unnecessary delays. Legal experts suggest that the court's warning signals a resolve to expedite proceedings and deliver a verdict based on merit, regardless of the political sensitivity of the matter.