PHC stops anti-corruption proceedings against ex-CM

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday temporarily halted all anti-corruption proceedings against former chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTIP) Chairman Mahmood Khan.

A two-member bench comprising Justice S.M. Attique Shah and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah issued the ruling after hearing the petition filed through Sultan Muhammad Khan and Babar Yousafzai.

According to the petition, Mahmood Khan, who has served as chief minister and held other key positions in the provincial government, was being harassed by the Anti-Corruption Establishment.

His lawyers argued that although Mahmood Khan lost his seat in the February 2024 general elections, he remained committed to serving the people of his area. They informed the bench that on September 3, 2024, Mahmood Khan received a notice from the Anti-Corruption regarding an inquiry related to his tenure as a provincial minister, which had concluded over 10 years ago.

The lawyers said that despite responding to all the questions, their client was still being harassed with repeated attempts being made to pressure him. They argued the inquiry was unconstitutional and was aimed at politically persecuting Mahmood Khan. His lawyers requested the court to nullify the inquiry.

The court, after hearing the initial arguments, directed the anti-corruption officials to halt further action against Mahmood Khan and directed the relevant officials to submit a reply at the next hearing.