The local court in Islamabad once again issued the non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi after he did not appear before the court in a case related to alleged derogatory remarks against state institutions.

The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. Authorities claimed that the chief minister made false and defamatory statements during a media talk.

This is the fourth time the court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him in the same case. Earlier warrants were issued twice in January and once on February 10.

Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Abbas Shah ordered the immediate arrest and production of the chief minister, stating that he had repeatedly ignored court summons and remained absent without lawful excuse. The hearing was later adjourned until March 9.

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According to the FIR, the case is linked to remarks made by Afridi outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. He allegedly accused security forces of bringing dogs into mosques in KP and tying them there. The statement triggered strong reaction and criticism.

After an inquiry, officials concluded that the remarks were made “knowingly and deliberately, with mala fide intentions and ulterior motives”. The FIR stated that the video carried “offensive, profane, false, misleading and unfounded allegations” aimed at damaging the reputation of state institutions.

The repeated warrants show the court is taking the matter seriously. Now the key question is whether the chief minister will appear or face arrest. If the situation continues, it may deepen political tensions and create further legal trouble.