Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas approach the Federal Constitutional Court seeking the release of Sohail Afridi and other detained lawmakers.

Sohail Afridi’s Detention Challenged in Federal Constitutional Court

FCC Asked to Order Release of Detained KP Leaders

By News Desk On Nov 14, 2026

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, have jointly approached the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), seeking the immediate release of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other detained elected representatives.

The petition, filed on Saturday, seeks relief for Afridi, eight other members of the KP Assembly and six members of the National Assembly. It also names KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati among those whose detention has been challenged.

The petitioners argued that keeping elected representatives in custody undermines the public mandate and prevents them from performing their constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities.

They maintained that targeting lawmakers on the basis of their political affiliation violates Articles 4, 14, 17 and 25 of the Constitution. The petition also asks the authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the detained representatives and clarify the legal grounds and status of their custody.

The opposition leaders contended that the extraordinary powers provided under Articles 232, 234 and 245 of the Constitution do not override fundamental rights. They further argued that the imposition of governor’s rule does not suspend constitutional protections and that government actions remain subject to judicial scrutiny.

The petition urges the FCC to direct the authorities to produce all detained lawmakers before the court, examine the legality of their detention and order their immediate release.

It also refers to PTI founder Imran Khan’s reported decision to assign Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas the task of holding talks with the government. The petitioners maintained that state machinery should not be used to suppress political dissent or render elected representatives ineffective.

Separately, speaking to Geo News, Raja Nasir Abbas said they had approached the Peshawar High Court and sought details about the whereabouts of Sohail Afridi and KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.

“The only way to save the sinking boat is dialogue and implementation of the Constitution,” he said.

He added that political parties would have to sit together to find a way out of the prevailing challenges, stressing the need for collective efforts and dialogue.