Constitutional Court Sets Date for Eligibility Challenge
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has scheduled a hearing for October 15 to address a petition challenging the eligibility of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to hold office. The court issued the order on Oct. 9, 2026.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi will hear the matter. The case was filed by Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat, who is contesting Afridi’s appointment as chief minister.
The petition argues that a convicted person cannot nominate anyone to a public office. Marwat contends that this legal principle invalidates the nomination process that led to Afridi's appointment.
Legal Arguments and Bench Composition
The core of the dispute centers on the constitutional implications of nominations made by individuals with criminal convictions. Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat, who filed the petition, has specifically argued that a convicted person is legally barred from nominating anyone to a public office.
This argument forms the basis of the challenge against Chief Minister Afridi’s tenure. The petitioner asserts that because the nomination process involved a convicted individual, the resulting appointment is invalid under existing legal frameworks regarding public office eligibility.
The Federal Constitutional Court has assigned the case to a specific bench to ensure a thorough review of these constitutional questions. Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will lead the bench, joined by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, as they prepare to examine the merits of Marwat’s claims.
Additional Matters on the Court's Docket
In addition to the eligibility challenge, the FCC has fixed October 15 for hearing a separate petition filed by Bushra Bibi. Her case seeks the suspension of her sentence in connection with a £190 million case.
Both matters will be taken up by the bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan on the scheduled date. The court’s decision to hear these distinct cases on the same day highlights the volume of high-profile constitutional and criminal appeals currently before the judiciary.
The outcome of Afridi’s eligibility hearing could have significant implications for the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, depending on how the bench interprets the restrictions on nominations by convicted persons. Meanwhile, the proceedings regarding Bushra Bibi focus on the potential suspension of her sentence in a high-value financial case.