The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of 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). The PTI leadership are booked in a case at the I-9 police station of Islamabad under various charges, including terrorism, vandalism. During the hearing of Gandapur's bail application on Saturday, his lawyer filed an application for exemption from appearance. Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, presiding over the case, rejected the application, noting that Gandapur had been granted an exemption on Sept 4 on the account of an illness, but on Sept 8, he seemed to be in good health during a public meeting. Lawyer Zahoor Al Hasan argued for an exemption today, ensuring that his client would appear in the next hearing. This observation led the court to issue the non-bailable warrants. In addition to Gandapur, the ATC also issued arrest warrants for PTI leaders Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi and Rashid Hafeez. The court further declared another PTI leader, Umar Tanveer Butt, as a proclaimed offender.

Meanwhile, PTI Senator Faisal Javed, who also faces charges, successfully had his request for exemption from attendance accepted. The prosecutor in the case argued that the accused had repeatedly violated court orders and displayed a pattern of non-cooperation. "The court should take note of the accused's continuous violations," the prosecutor urged. Meanwhile, the chief minister is also involved in a case concerning the recovery of alcohol and arms. The hearing for this case will be held today in the court of Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi. Earlier, the court had issued a warrant for Gandapur’s arrest, which was later canceled after his lawyer assured the court that Gandapur would appear in person. The court accepted this assurance, backed by personal surety, and canceled the warrant. At the previous hearing, Judge Kundi had indicated that a verdict on Gandapur's acquittal petition might be announced today. However, the proceedings remain ongoing. This case was registered against Gandapur in 2016 at the Bhara Kahu police station.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan