Case Update Status

The Court of Session issued directives on July 31 that the case be heard further by a District and Session Judge and the record be prepared for August 25, 2025.

Summary of Case

On July 26, Daily Aaj News Bureau Chief Shah Faisal Afghan was issued an arrest warrant by the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Chakdara- Adizai, Shehzad Abbasi, for exposing manipulation and corruption in penalties received from traders in the local market against the Anti-encroachment. Aaj News reported that an arrest warrant was issued by the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Malakand for Shah Faisal Afghan, the Bureau Chief from Chakdara, sparking widespread protests from Karachi to Gilgit. The journalist community vowed to strongly protest if the arrest isn't stopped. The report suggested that the Afghan garnered support from various press clubs and unions, including Malakand, Swat, Dir, Timergara, Buner, and Shangla. The Tehsil Khyber Union of Journalists demanded the withdrawal of the case against Afghan, citing concerns over his potential arrest. A protest demonstration was held by the Chakdara Press Club and Trade Union against the administration. The event featured speeches from key figures, including Press Club President Javed-ur-Rehman, Trade Union President Khawaja Faiz-ul-Ghafoor, and Press Club General Secretary Zafar Ali Shah. Other notable speakers included Shah Faisal Afghan, Muhammad Jalil, and Muhammad Israr. The demonstration highlighted the collective concerns and grievances of the press club and trade union members against the administration's actions. The journalists demanded the immediate transfer of the Assistant Commissioner (AC) and Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) Adizai, citing their actions as a violation of the rule of law. The business community, including Traders Association President Khawaja Faiz-ul-Ghafoor, assured journalists of full support and solidarity, warning of extended protests in Malakand Division if demands aren't met. A five-day deadline had been given to the government to take action, failing which a boycott of the local MPA and his party will be implemented. On Aug 11, Afghan spoke to PPF that he was working on a story concerning the Chakdara-Adizai local market, a longstanding local market with various categories of shops, as there were reports of fines being imposed on shops in this market by the administrative authorities. On July 30th, Afghan filed a Right to Information (RTI) request with the administrative department, specifically asking the offices of the Assistant Commissioner and Additional Assistant Commissioner – seeking details on the number of shops in the market, how many had been fined, and the total amount of fines levied. However, despite the passage of time, no response was received. Afghan subsequently submitted a complaint to the KP information commission. Following the complaint, a letter was issued instructing the provision of the requested information. However, there was still no response from the office of the Assistant Commissioner or the Additional Assistant Commissioner. Afghan said that he then gathered information and took statements from shopkeepers in the market through his own sources. It was alleged that during a visit to the market, the Additional Commissioner had physically assaulted a tandoor vendor due to a language barrier and inability to get desired responses regarding rates and other matters. Two separate stories based on this information were shared on Afghan's social media channels. After these stories were shared, it came to Afghan’s knowledge that the Additional Assistant Commissioner had issued an arrest warrant against him. Notably, the arrest warrant was reportedly based on a domestic issue involving Afghan and his father. The Additional Assistant Commissioner allegedly used this domestic matter as a basis for issuing the warrant, having called Afghan's father – who is reportedly vulnerable and not fully capable of understanding these matters – to the commission office and making him a complainant against Afghan. Afghan also alleged that law enforcement forces -levies forces- connected to the commission were aware of the domestic dynamics involving Afghan and used this domestic issue as a basis for pushing for the arrest warrant. Afghan challenged this warrant in the session court, resulting in the matter being dismissed. Despite the dismissal and clarity on the facts, efforts reportedly continue to arrest Afghan. An RTI was filed by Shah Faisal Afghan on March 04, 2025, under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Access to Information Act, 2013, to the Additional Assistant Commissioner, Chakdara, Adiz, seeking information and documents related to market inspections conducted in Adizai over the past six months. Specifically, Afghan asked for details on the dates of inspections, names and positions of officers leading the teams, legal actions taken against shopkeepers and traders, and information on fines imposed and collected. Afghan also requested copies of bank slips and challans related to fine collections and details of any actions taken against other businesses. The request was made to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration's actions, as Afghan wanted to do a story. Afghan requested a response within the prescribed period under the RTI Act. In response to the complaint made by Afghan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC) directed the Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) and Public Information Officer (PIO) of Adizai, Chakdara, Lower Dir, to provide Afghan with the requested information within 10 working days. This decision follows Afghan's complaint to the KPIC, alleging that his request for information was not entertained in the prescribed manner under the KP RTI Act 2013. The KPIC's notice, dated May 30, 2025, instructed the AAC/PIO to furnish the required information to Afghan and inform the commission accordingly. On July 23, Afghan shared a story through his Facebook account highlighting corruption at the administrative level, alleging that government resources and the national treasury were being mercilessly looted. He claimed that local officials were behaving oppressively, citing incidents of abuse of power, including the detention and torture of shopkeepers and truck drivers. Afghan specifically mentioned an incident where an Additional Assistant Commissioner in Chakdara-Adizai Shehzad Abbasi seized goods from sweets shops on Tehsil Road without following due process. Afghan also questioned the fate of confiscated goods, particularly trucks full of papad (crackers), stating that none of these trucks have been produced after confiscation. Furthermore, Afghan alleged that the district administration has turned detention centers into torture cells, targeting individuals who speak up for their rights. Afghan also alleged that he had sought transparency in governance, requesting information on fines collected and deposited into the government treasury through RTI, but his request was denied. On July 17, a complaint was filed by Karim Bakhsh before the office of the Additional Assistant Commissioner against his son, Shah Faisal Afghan, alleging violent behavior and threats towards him. According to the complaint, Afghan frequently beats and threatens his father, and has also forcibly occupied his property, including land and houses. The complainant, Bakhsh, claimed that despite repeated requests for action, no satisfactory measures have been taken. Notably, the complainant mentioned that his son is associated with the media, which may be relevant to the situation. The complaint requested that action be taken against Afghan and that the matter be escalated to a higher authority for resolution. A show cause notice was issued by the Court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Adizai, Lower Dir, to Shah Faisal Afghan on July 17, 2025, requiring him to explain why he shouldn't be ordered to enter into a bond worth Rs. 1 million with two sureties in the same amount to maintain peace and good behavior for a year. This action was followed the allegations that Afghan frequently engaged in acts of violence and aggression, committing offenses prohibited by Pakistani law, which may lead to a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquility. In the notice, the court demanded that Afghan provide sureties, including one government servant not below grade 17, to ensure his compliance with the condition that each surety must belong to Sub-Division Adenzai, Dir Lower, and possess movable property valued at Rs. 1 million or more. A non-bailable arrest warrant was issued on July 28, 2025, by the office of Additional Assistant Commissioner Adizai, Chakdara, for the arrest of Shah Faisal Afghan, Chairman of the Chakdara Press Club, and Karim Bakhsh. The warrant was issued under sections related to a case filed at the Hakura police station. According to the court documents, the accused are supposed to be arrested and produced in court on July 28, 202. On July 31, an application for transfer of case was filed by the Afghan before the Sessions Judge, District Dir, at Timergara. The application sought to transfer the case filed against him by the Additional Assistant Commissioner, Tehsil Adizai, Chakdara- District Lower Dir, to another competent court or magistrate. The application alleged a bias and unfair treatment by the subordinate court (Court of magistrates). Afghan claimed that the court's actions were retaliatory and illegal, following his reports on the misbehavior of the Additional Assistant Commissioner with shopkeepers in Chakdara Bazaar. Specifically, the application mentioned the issuance of a non-bailable arrest warrant against Afghan and the refusal of the court to provide him with copies of the application. Afghan argued that there was no expectation of a fair trial in Chakdara and requested that the case be transferred to ensure justice. An application for the suspension of a case was also moved on July 31, 2025, by Afghan through his advocate Qadeer Ahmad, before the Sessions Judge, District Lower Dir, at Timargarh. The application sought to suspend the case proceedings pending the outcome of an application for transfer, citing strong prospects of success, balance of power, justice, and necessity as grounds. Afghan swore an affidavit attesting to the truth of the matters stated in the application, which was filed in the case titled Shah Faisal vs. Karim Bakhsh. The Court of Session issued directives on July 31 that the case be heard further by a District and Session Judge and the record be prepared for August 25, 2025. According to Farzana Ali, Bureau Chief of Aaj News, Shah Faisal Afghani, Chairman of Chakdara Press Club, is a journalist working with Daily Aaj, a Peshawar-based newspaper. Allegedly, some district administration officers have issues with Shah Faisal's reporting, which has led to harassment and intimidation. Journalist bodies claimed that an arrest warrant was issued against Shah Faisal based on a fabricated and false complaint. Ali further stated that the President of KHUJ has demanded the withdrawal of the arrest warrant and action against those involved. Additionally, Ali referenced a noteworthy matter that Shah Faisal has been in a dispute with his father since 2014. However, the recent tensions seem to have escalated after the May 9 incidents, where he shared news on social media against the army and the Supreme Court, leading to accusations of bias. Ali added that Shah Faisal is very emotional and, once in the past, he was sentenced to five years for publishing news of an accusation of misconduct against a woman from his village, which later resulted in a plea bargain in the Supreme Court. Ali also clarified that Aaj Newspaper and Aaj News/TV are two distinct organizations. The Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) strongly condemned the issuance of an arrest warrant against Shah Faisal Afghan, Chairman of the Chakdara Press Club, over a false application filed by the district administration. According to KUJ President Kashif Uddin Syed and General Secretary Irshad Ali, Afghan's investigative reporting has consistently exposed corruption, abuse, and illegal activities in various institutions, making him a target for certain district administration officers who are allegedly intimidated by his truthful reporting. The KUJ demands the immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrant and strict action against the officers involved. They have urged the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Secretary, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the matter. If their demands are not met, the KUJ threatens to launch a protest movement across the province. The Timer Garh Press Club, led by President Ismail Anjum, strongly condemned the order of arrest against senior journalist Shah Faisal Afghan by the Assistant Commissioner of Chakdara. They demanded the withdrawal of the case. In a meeting attended by key members, including General Secretary Rehmatullah Swati and Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the press club resolved to launch a province-wide protest movement if the case isn't withdrawn immediately. The responsibility for escalating tensions would rest solely with the Assistant Commissioner Chakdara, the statement delivered. Shahzad Alam, President of the Malakand Union of Journalists, strongly condemned the retaliatory actions and the suppression of Shah Faisal Afghan's voice. Alam announced that if the commission office of Malakand Division doesn't take action within five days, a protest movement will be launched at the level of Chakdara Division.

Category of Incident

Legal action

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

Aaj News

Date of incident

26

Month

July

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Shah Faisal Afghan

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Daily Aaj Digital

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Additional Assistant Commissioner of Chakdara- Adizai, Shehzad Abbasi

City

Chakdara

Province

KP

Designation

Bureau Chief

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Under probe

Court where case was presented: Court of magistrates & Sessions Judge, District Dir, at Timergara.

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Advocate Qadeer Ahmad

Date of first court hearing: 31/07/2025

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case:

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

According to Farzana Ali, Bureau Chief of Aaj News, Shah Faisal Afghani, Chairman of Chakdara Press Club, is a journalist working with Daily Aaj, a Peshawar-based newspaper. Allegedly, some district administration officers have issues with Shah Faisal's reporting, which has led to harassment and intimidation. Journalist bodies claimed that an arrest warrant was issued against Shah Faisal based on a fabricated and false complaint. Ali further stated that the President of KHUJ has demanded the withdrawal of the arrest warrant and action against those involved. Additionally, Ali referenced a noteworthy matter that Shah Faisal has been in a dispute with his father since 2014. However, the recent tensions seem to have escalated after the May 9 incidents, where he shared news on social media against the army and the Supreme Court, leading to accusations of bias. Ali added that Shah Faisal is very emotional and, once in the past, he was sentenced to five years for publishing news of an accusation of misconduct against a woman from his village, which later resulted in a plea bargain in the Supreme Court. Ali also clarified that Aaj Newspaper and Aaj News/TV are two distinct organizations.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: The Timer Garh Press Club, led by President Ismail Anjum, strongly condemned the order of arrest against senior journalist Shah Faisal Afghan by the Assistant Commissioner of Chakdara. They demanded the withdrawal of the case. In a meeting attended by key members, including General Secretary Rehmatullah Swati and Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the press club resolved to launch a province-wide protest movement if the case isn't withdrawn immediately. The responsibility for escalating tensions would rest solely with the Assistant Commissioner Chakdara, the statement delivered.

Press club 2: Shahzad Alam, President of the Malakand Union of Journalists, strongly condemned the retaliatory actions and the suppression of Shah Faisal Afghan's voice. Alam announced that if the commission office of Malakand Division doesn't take action within five days, a protest movement will be launched at the level of Chakdara Division.

Press club 3: The Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) strongly condemned the issuance of an arrest warrant against Shah Faisal Afghan, Chairman of the Chakdara Press Club, over a false application filed by the district administration. According to KUJ President Kashif Uddin Syed and General Secretary Irshad Ali, Afghan's investigative reporting has consistently exposed corruption, abuse, and illegal activities in various institutions, making him a target for certain district administration officers who are allegedly intimidated by his truthful reporting. The KUJ demands the immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrant and strict action against the officers involved. They have urged the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Secretary, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the matter. If their demands are not met, the KUJ threatens to launch a protest movement across the province