ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and several other leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The PTI leaders are facing charges, including terrorism and vandalism, in a case filed at the I-9 police station in Islamabad. During a recent hearing regarding Gandapur’s bail application, his lawyer sought exemption from attendance, which was denied by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra. The judge noted that Gandapur had previously been exempted due to illness but appeared healthy during a public meeting shortly after.
Lawyer Zahoor Al Hasan argued for another exemption, assuring the court that Gandapur would appear at the next hearing. This led to the issuance of non-bailable warrants for Gandapur.
In addition to Gandapur, the court also issued arrest warrants for PTI leaders Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi and Rashid Hafeez, while another leader, Umar Tanveer Butt, was declared a proclaimed offender. PTI Senator Faisal Javed, who also faces charges, successfully secured exemption from attendance.
The prosecutor highlighted that the accused had repeatedly violated court orders and exhibited a pattern of non-cooperation, urging the court to take these violations into account.
Furthermore, Gandapur is involved in a separate case regarding the recovery of alcohol and arms, with a hearing scheduled today in the court of Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi.
Previously, a warrant for Gandapur’s arrest was canceled after his lawyer assured the court of his appearance, backed by personal surety.
At an earlier hearing, Judge Kundi indicated that a decision on Gandapur’s acquittal petition might be announced today, although proceedings are still ongoing. This case was initially registered against Gandapur in 2016 at the Bhara Kahu police station.
