Gandapur gets bail relief in May 9 cases

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday was granted interim bails in 13 cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence and one linked to PTI founding chairman Imran Khan’s Islamabad Motorway Toll Plaza reception also registered last year.

Not only were his arrest warrants issued in connection with the May 9 violence cancelled, but his status of a proclaimed offender overturned as well.

The K-P CM first appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Faisal Rasheed at the Judicial Complex in connection with the Toll Plaza reception case, where he was granted interim bail till April 30.

Later, he went to an anti-terrorism court (ATC). Upon surrendering to the ATC, Judge Malik Ijaz Asif annulled the arrest warrants issued for Gandapur in connection with the May 9 violence and also overturned his proclaimed offender status.

The judge later granted interim bails to the K-P CM in all cases related to the May 9 mayhem provided that he submitted surety bonds to the court.

The judge ordered the police not to arrest Gandapur in any of these cases and restrained them from further proceedings. He also summoned the records of all these from all the relevant SHOs.

Talking to the media outside the court, Gandapur said his party respected the judiciary and that was why he had appeared before the courts.

He added that the existing system was exposing itself with each passing day.

Gandapur said Imran would be released soon and become the premier yet again.

He stressed the need to form a commission to probe the allegations levelled by Islamabad High Court judges of interference in judicial affairs.

The K-P CM said he congratulated the PTI founding chairman as the nation had woken up because of his efforts.

He further said Imran had no qualms about his meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif as the latter was currently leading the country.