Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Pakistan Court Orders Passport Blocks for KP Chief, Lawmakers
A court in Islamabad ordered officials to block the passports of a provincial chief minister and 24 lawmakers.
They belong to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party of Imran Khan.
Police said the people might leave Pakistan to avoid the legal case.
Police also accused them of serious offenses involving state institutions and terrorism.
The court said the accused had not appeared in court.
It also said some people with temporary bail had not helped investigators.
The chief minister separately said Punjab Police assaulted him and left him by the roadside.
He wants the Punjab government to explain what happened.
An Islamabad anti-terrorism court ordered passports blocked for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and 24 PTI lawmakers.
The order followed a police request in a case registered at a police station in Islamabad.
The investigating officer said the accused could flee and faced serious charges involving attacks on state institutions and alleged terrorism promotion.
The court said the accused had not appeared and that some with interim bail had not joined the investigation.
Afridi separately alleged that Punjab Police assaulted him and left him roadside while he was mobilising support for a planned September 27 protest.
- Who
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, 24 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers, police, and the Federal Investigation Agency were involved; the court issued the order.
- What
- An Islamabad anti-terrorism court ordered the Federal Investigation Agency to block the accused lawmakers’ passports until further orders.
- When
- The order was reported on September 14; the PTI’s announced nationwide protest is planned for September 27.
- Where
- The order was issued in Islamabad, in a case registered at a police station in the capital; Afridi’s separate allegation concerns Punjab Police.
- Why
- Police said the accused might flee to avoid legal proceedings and faced serious charges; the court said they had not appeared or, in some cases, joined the investigation.
Court and Police Position
PTI and Afridi’s Position
Passport restrictions
Court and Police Position
Police requested the restrictions, saying the accused might flee and that they faced serious charges. The court said the available record identified them as accused and approved the request.
PTI and Afridi’s Position
The article reports no direct response from the 24 lawmakers to the passport order. PTI remains engaged in political agitation against the central government.
Court appearances and investigation
Court and Police Position
The court said the accused had failed to appear and that those granted interim bail had not joined the investigation.
PTI and Afridi’s Position
Afridi was touring Punjab to mobilise support for the planned protest, while PTI has continued political activity despite cases linked to protests and alleged violence.
Treatment of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister
Court and Police Position
The article provides no police or Punjab government account confirming Afridi’s allegation.
PTI and Afridi’s Position
Afridi alleged that Punjab Police attempted to abduct him, assaulted and mistreated him, and left him roadside; he demanded an explanation from the Punjab government.
- Court
- Islamabad anti-terrorism court
- Judge
- Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain
- People affected
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and 24 PTI lawmakers
- Agency ordered to act
- Federal Investigation Agency
- Duration
- Passports are blocked until further orders
- Police allegations
- Possible flight from the country, attacks on state institutions, and promotion of terrorism
- Planned protest
- PTI announced a nationwide protest for September 27