A major legal development has emerged in the cases related to May 9 and 10, as the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has temporarily restrained the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government from withdrawing the case.
According to details, the court issued a stay order on a petition filed by Radio Pakistan, preventing the provincial government from closing the case for the time being. The petition argued that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is attempting to influence the proceedings in Peshawar, and therefore requested that the case be transferred to a court in Islamabad or Punjab to ensure a fair trial.
This is the same case in which it was decided to nominate former ministers, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, along with other leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. However, the police have yet to file a challan in the case, due to which the legal proceedings have not progressed fully.
It should be noted that the provincial government had decided last year to withdraw various cases related to May 9 and 10, including this case. However, following the court’s order, the implementation of this decision has been temporarily suspended, and the legal status of the matter is expected to be clarified at the next hearing.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s narrative regarding the alleged concealment of the May 9 incidents, particularly the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar, has reportedly failed, and the recent court injunction has further strengthened the legal proceedings.
Decisions in favour of Radio Pakistan by the Federal Constitutional Court and the High Court have made it clear that the PTI provincial government has limited legal options at this stage. The formation of parallel committees by the provincial authorities to investigate the matter has been rejected by the courts, reinforcing that accountability processes will continue.
The role of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the current Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the broader case has also been highlighted, with claims that videos and forensic evidence place them at the centre of the incident.
It is further alleged that the provincial assembly was used to form inquiry committees for self-protection, which were subsequently restrained by the judiciary. Critics also claim that attempts were made to shield individuals nominated in cases related to the arson of state property.
Allegations have also been made regarding efforts to delay proceedings through influence and resources; however, these claims remain part of the ongoing legal and political discourse.
The recent court decisions indicate that the legal process in the May 9 cases will continue, and further clarity is expected in upcoming hearings as investigations proceed.
More to follow…
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