Senior lawyer and former President Supreme Court Bar Association Latif Afridi has been assassinated inside the Peshawar High Court (PHC) premises. He was rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital, where he passed away while receiving medical treatment.
According to police, Latif Afridi and fellow lawyers were sitting in the bar room of PHC. Just then a gunman entered the room and shot down Afridi. The accused is identified as Adnan Afridi. Police have also recovered a lawyer’s license from Adnan.
The unfortunate incident occurred despite the fact that the PHC bar is surrounded by tight security as it is located inside the high court. PHC Bar Association has raised questions on the security condition of the high court and demanded an explanation as to how a person could enter the bar room with weapons. Several notable personalities have extended their condolences and condemned the incident.
Devastating news of the assassination of Latif Afridi Lala in Peshawar. 💔
To kill someone of his age & stature in cold blood shows how space for dissent is shrinking at the behest of extremist militancy & the state.
His legacy of speaking truth Tim power must continue.— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) January 16, 2023
انا للّٰہ و انا الیہ راجعون۔ کون ذمہ دار ہے آفریدی صاحب کے قتل کا ؟ https://t.co/cFWAxdvOsO
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) January 16, 2023
Strongly condemn the dastardly attack on Former SC Bar President & Sr Leader NDM Lala #LatifAfridi who has been a champion of human & political rights. Attempt on life inside High Court Bar removes any doubt if still left about resurgence of terrorism. Prayers for his recovery.
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) January 16, 2023
سابق صدر آصف علی زرداری کی عبدالطیف آفریدی کے قتل کی مذمت
عبدالطیف آفریدی جمہوریت پسند اور شدت پسندی کے سخت مخالف تھے، آصف زرداری
شہید عبدالطیف آفریدی کا قتل انتہائی افسوسناک ہے ،آصف زرداری @AAliZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 16, 2023