Islamabad ATC Issues Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants for KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Other PTI Leaders
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and several other prominent leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The leaders are facing charges, including terrorism and vandalism, in a case registered at the I-9 police station in Islamabad.
During the hearing of Gandapur’s bail application on Saturday, his lawyer requested an exemption from appearing in court, citing illness. However, Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who is presiding over the case, rejected the plea, noting that Gandapur had been previously granted an exemption on September 4 due to illness but was seen in good health at a public meeting on September 8.
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Gandapur’s lawyer, Zahoor Al Hasan, assured the court that his client would be present at the next hearing, but the judge was not convinced, resulting in the issuance of non-bailable warrants. In addition to Gandapur, the court also issued warrants for PTI leaders Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi and Rashid Hafeez. Furthermore, PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt was declared a proclaimed offender. However, PTI Senator Faisal Javed successfully received an exemption from attendance after his request was approved.
The prosecution argued that the accused had repeatedly disregarded court orders and exhibited a pattern of non-cooperation. “The court should take note of the continuous violations by the accused,” the prosecutor urged.
Additionally, Chief Minister Gandapur is involved in another case related to the recovery of alcohol and firearms. The hearing for this case is scheduled for today in the court of Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi. Previously, the court had issued an arrest warrant for Gandapur, which was later canceled after his lawyer assured the court of his attendance, backed by personal surety.
In a previous hearing, Judge Kundi hinted at a possible verdict on Gandapur’s acquittal petition. However, the case, originally filed against Gandapur in 2016 at the Bhara Kahu police station, remains ongoing.
