ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has submitted a comprehensive, eight-page reply to the Federal Constitutional Court, formally addressing a petition that alleges the existence of a so-called “Imran Khan Release Force.” Through the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Minister has urged the bench to dismiss the petition, characterising it as legally inadmissible, premature, and entirely devoid of factual merit.

In his sworn response, the Chief Minister explicitly stated that no organisation bearing the title of the “Imran Khan Release Force” has ever been established or sanctioned. He clarified that the entity in question is known as the “Imran Khan Release Peace Movement.” Mr. Afridi described this initiative as a strictly peaceful, unarmed, and voluntary public movement, noting that its operations remain firmly rooted within the constitutional and legal frameworks of Pakistan. This comes as the government continues to navigate complex policy and administrative challenges across the province.

Clarifying Constitutional Rights

The submission asserts that the movement possesses no armed structure, private militia, or clandestine military wing, refuting the petitioner’s claims as factually erroneous and politically motivated. The Chief Minister’s defense argues that the petitioner has failed to substantiate any violation of fundamental rights. He maintained that the Peace Movement acts under the protections afforded by Articles 16, 17, and 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which safeguard the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression.

Addressing potential legal overlaps, the reply contended that Article 256 of the Constitution—which prohibits the formation of private armed organisations—is irrelevant to the current matter, as the movement is exclusively non-military. Furthermore, the response argues that the Private Military Organisations Act, 1973, is inapplicable to the peaceful activities of the movement. Similar to recent governance reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the administration maintains that all activities are subject to legal scrutiny and public oversight.

Public Order and Future Proceedings

Rejecting any allegations that the movement poses a threat to public order, Sohail Afridi dismissed comparisons to past armed groups as misleading and factually groundless. The administration has requested that the Constitutional Court dismiss the petition at this preliminary stage and issue a declaration affirming the lawful nature of the movement. This development follows broader efforts to address ongoing administrative and fiscal transitions within the federation.

The Federal Constitutional Court, which had previously mandated the submission of a formal response, has scheduled the next hearing for 29 July. The court is expected to deliberate upon the arguments from all participating parties before determining the next procedural steps.