The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued a notice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi seeking his response to a contempt of court petition alleging that he used an official helicopter and government resources to participate in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

The petition was heard by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Ijaz Khan. Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Zahir Khan filed the petition through Barrister Yaseen Raza.

The counsel told the court that the PHC, in its October 23, 2025 judgment, had prohibited the use of government resources during political gatherings, rallies, and processions. He said that on October 4, the chief minister travelled from Peshawar to Lakki Marwat in an official helicopter and led a political long march.

He pleaded that the court had directed the provincial government and all relevant authorities not to use or allow the use of official vehicles, machinery, or government personnel for protests, long marches, rallies, or other political activities. According to the counsel, a special helipad was prepared at Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat for the chief minister's arrival, where political workers received him.

He subsequently addressed the participants and formally launched the march. He further claimed that the use of the official helicopter also involved its pilot, crew, fuel, technical staff, security personnel, administrative and protocol staff, and other government resources, which he said amounted to a violation of the court's order.

The counsel stated that photographs and videos of the chief minister travelling by official helicopter to participate in the march were available, and the event had also been reported by national, regional, and digital media. He argued that the chief minister, as the province's chief executive, was responsible for ensuring compliance with court orders and that the use of government resources for a political activity constituted a violation of the court's directions.

The counsel maintained that government resources belonged to the public and could not be used for the benefit of any particular political party. He said the chief minister, as the constitutional custodian of public resources, was required to use them for official and public purposes rather than political activities.

He also referred to the PHC judgment directing the chief secretary to ensure that government institutions functioned within the Constitution and law, and that government employees, resources, and machinery were not used for political purposes. He said the inspector general of police was likewise directed to ensure that the police were not used politically.

The petitioner prayed the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the chief minister, summon him personally, and seek an explanation regarding the purpose, authorisation, and expenses of the official helicopter flight. He also sought directions for the relevant authorities to produce the authorisation, flight record, logbook, and expenditure details concerning the helicopter's use.

After hearing the arguments, the court issued a notice to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and sought his response. Meanwhile, the court has fixed an appeal for October 15, filed by Sher Afzal Marwat to declare Chief Minister KP Sohail Afridi ineligible for public office.

According to Marwat, a convicted person has no legal right to hold any important public office.