ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Thursday disposed of Sher Afzal Marwat’s petition seeking Sohail Afridi’s disqualification, finding it ineffective after emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan observed that Afridi no longer held the chief minister’s office. He questioned whether the disqualification proceedings could continue after the change in provincial administration.
A two-member bench comprising the chief justice and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the case. Marwat appeared before the court, while lawyer Syed Ali Bukhari represented Afridi.
Marwat requested a short adjournment. He told the bench that he wanted to challenge the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule.
Read: Peshawar School Roof Collapse Kills at Least 28 People
His argument centred on the possibility of Afridi returning to office. Marwat contended that lifting both measures could allow Afridi’s reinstatement as chief minister.
Najafi observed that emergency and governor’s rule were separate issues. He considered the case against Afridi no longer a live dispute under the prevailing circumstances.
Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court on Wednesday. He challenged both measures, sought their annulment and requested an early hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, the chief justice outlined a conditional route to reopen Marwat’s case. Marwat could file a miscellaneous application to restore the proceedings if Afridi returned to office.
