Non-bailable warrants issued for arrest of CM Ali Amin Gandapur

ATC judge warns defendants absent on July 8 would be declared fugitives

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Express News reported.

The warrant was issued by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, who presided over the hearing of cases registered at the Sangjani and I-9 police stations against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and others.

Ali Nawaz Awan, Wasif Qayyum, Amir Kiani, and others appeared in court, while exemption pleas were filed on behalf of Chief Minister Gandapur and Amir Mughal. The court expressed dissatisfaction with Gandapur's repeated absences since April 2024, stating that warrants would be issued for all absent defendants.

"The situation has become a spectacle; one defendant appears while two do not. We are issuing arrest warrants for all absent defendants," remarked Judge Supra.

He further warned that defendants absent on July 8 would be declared fugitives, emphasising that the usual 30-day period is not mandatory for declaring someone a fugitive.

"These cases must be concluded, which will ultimately benefit you," he added. The judge assured that if the cases have merit, they will proceed; otherwise, they will be dismissed, and daily hearings will commence after July 8.

The court rejected Gandapur's exemption plea and issued his non-bail-able arrest warrant. Additionally, the court requested a written response from the superintendent of Adiala Jail regarding the PTI founder's appearance via video link, adjourning the hearings of both cases until July 8.