January 17, 2026
By Muhammad Danial
PESHAWAR
Human rights champion, politician and renowned lawyer, Latif Afridi, fondly called ‘Lala’ by his friends and comrades was remembered on his third death anniversary in Peshawar, as an irreplaceable icon that fuelled ideas and a passion for struggle.
A condolence ceremony was organized by the National Democratic Movement at the Peshawar Press Club, attended by a large number of political leaders, lawyers, women leaders, social activists, and youth.
Martyrdom: targeted in court premises
Abdul Latif Afridi was martyred on January 16, 2023, in a shooting incident within the premises of the Peshawar High Court. He was present in the bar room as usual when an attacker opened fire on him, resulting in his death on the spot.
His martyrdom deeply shocked not only the legal community but also believers in democracy, human rights, and constitutional supremacy across the country.
Speakers at the event paid tribute to Abdul Latif Afridi’s political, legal, and democratic struggle, describing him as a symbol of constitutionalism, human rights, and democracy.
‘I wouldn’t be here without ‘Lala’s teachings’
At the event, Rukhshanda Naz, the former provincial ombudsperson, expressed her heartfelt emotions while remembering the renowned activist.
“If Abdul Latif Afridi had not guided me in my life, I might never have reached this position today,” she said. She recalled sitting in court and listening to the legal cases he had taken up. “At that time, women lawyers were neither very active nor did they have work opportunities, but Latif Lala encouraged me to learn.”
According to Naz, the work she did on FATA reforms would also not have been possible without Abdul Latif Afridi. “Today, major constitutional and human rights issues arise, but his absence is felt intensely.”
‘A fearless voice against oppression’
National Democratic Movement chief Mohsin Dawar also spoke at the occasion.
“Abdul Latif Afridi’s greatest quality was that he fearlessly stood firm and raised his voice against oppression and injustice,” he said, especially in context with the current situation. “Today, the judiciary is paralyzed and politics is suffocating. In such circumstances, the absence of Latif Lala is felt acutely. Whenever there is an attempt to suppress the voice of lawyers or an attack on the judiciary, I remember Abdul Latif Afridi’s struggle.”
Constitutional politics, not power
Speakers addressing the ceremony said that Latif Afridi always raised his voice for the rights of the weak and deprived classes. The focus of his politics was not the acquisition of power but constitutional supremacy, democratic values, and awakening public consciousness. He always took a clear and unbiased stance against dictatorship, coercion, and unconstitutional measures.
‘The bench-bar relationship would be stronger’
Peshawar High Court Bar President Aminur Rahman said, “If Abdul Latif Afridi were alive today, the relationship between the bench and bar would be much stronger. A huge void has been created in the province with Abdul Latif Afridi’s passing. As long as he was alive, the leadership of the legal community existed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but now this center has shifted to Punjab. Today, constitutional amendments are being amended, but no strong voice is heard for the rights of lawyers.”
“If my father were here, it would all be different’
“In the current circumstances, I feel my father’s absence intensely,” said Hanif Afridi. “If he were present today, the difficulties faced by the people of our ancestral area of Tirah would not be so severe.” Hanif added that people from every school of thought agree that in today’s circumstances, there was an urgent need for a figure like Abdul Latif Afridi.
“No one is openly talking about the issues of FATA and tribal districts today, whereas my father always played the role of being the voice of the oppressed.”
A legacy of service
Abdul Latif Afridi was counted among the few politicians and lawyers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who made politics a means of public service and constitutional struggle rather than personal interest. He was a senior lawyer, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, a central leader of the Awami National Party, and later associated with the National Democratic Movement.
Abdul Latif Afridi was a strong advocate for FATA reforms, the rights of tribal people, constitutional supremacy, and judicial independence. He continued his democratic struggle in courts and parliamentary forums for several decades.
An exhibition of books related to nationalist politics and the Pashtun nation was also held during the anniversary ceremony.
At the conclusion of the event, participants expressed their resolve to keep alive Abdul Latif Afridi’s ideology, democratic thinking, and constitutional struggle.