Mahmood Achakzai, Raja Nasir Abbas Seek Release of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Eight Others

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Opposition Leader in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas on Saturday filed a joint petition in the Federal Constitutional Court. The petition seeks the immediate release of Sohail Afridi, the inactive Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and eight other parliamentarians.

According to Geo News, the PTI-backed Chief Minister and the other members were taken into protective custody on October 11, a few hours before the federal government imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in the province.

The petitioners argue that holding elected representatives in detention amounts to nullifying the popular mandate. The petition states that targeting them on the basis of political affiliation violates Articles 4, 14, 17 and 25 of the Constitution.

The petition also demands that the government disclose their legal status and place of detention. It contends that the extraordinary powers available under Articles 232, 234 and 245 do not override fundamental rights, and that the imposition of governor’s rule does not suspend those rights.