Use of Official Helicopter for Long March: KP CM Sohail Afridi Asked to Respond

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has sought a response from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over allegations that government resources were used for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

A two-member bench headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice S.M. Attique Shah heard a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly Qari Zahir.

The petitioner argued that despite judicial restrictions on the use of government resources for political activities and protest marches, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi allegedly travelled to Lakki Marwat on October 4 in an official government helicopter to participate in the launch of the PTI long march.

The petitioner requested the court to take notice of the alleged use of government resources during the long march and seek an explanation from the officials concerned. During the hearing, the court issued a notice to the KP chief minister and sought his response on the matter.

On October 4, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, from where the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad was launched. During the helicopter’s landing, a party flag held by a worker reportedly came into contact with the helicopter’s rotor blades. No casualties were reported.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also raised objections to the use of the official helicopter on the same day, describing it as a violation of directions issued by the Islamabad High Court. The governor also discussed the matter during a meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The case comes against the backdrop of directions issued by the Islamabad High Court in its September 14, 2026, judgment concerning the use of government funds, vehicles, machinery, personnel and other state resources for political marches, rallies and protests.

The Peshawar High Court had also previously issued directions restricting the use of government vehicles, machinery and official personnel for political activities.

Following the court’s notice, the next stage of the case will depend on the response submitted by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and further proceedings before the court. The court has not yet declared the alleged use of the official helicopter unlawful and has only sought an explanation from the chief minister.