PHC bars arrests of K-P CM until Oct 5, while ATC in Islamabad issues warrants

Meanwhile petition filed in the LHC seeks to overturn all orders of detention imposed on PTI workers


News Desk September 21, 2024
K-P CM Ali Amin Gandapur. PHOTO: FILE

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court has imposed a directive prohibiting any arrest of Gandapur until October 5.

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP Chief Minister Gandapur and several other PTI leaders. while also declaring PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt an absconder.

Judge Tahir Abbas Supra rejected Ali Amin’s pre-arrest bail request, which was linked to a terrorism case involving the attack and vandalism at the Judicial Complex, filed by I-9 police station.

Ali Amin’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor Hassan, submitted an application requesting an exemption from Ali Amin’s appearance.

The court dismissed the request, noting that an absence request had also been made on September, 4 followed by Ali Amin's attendance at a rally on September 8.

Following his absence, the court denied Ali Amin’s bail application and issued non-bailable warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur, Wasif Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Rashid Hafeez, and Amir Mehmood Kiani.

Umar Tanveer Butt was declared an absconder due to continuous absences from court proceedings.

The court, however, accepted an exemption application from PTI leader Faisal Javed and adjourned the case until 3rd October.

Peshawar High Court orders no arrests for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM until October 5

Meanhile latesr during the day, the Peshawar High Court issued a directive prohibiting the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur until October 5.

The court’s written order from the previous hearing stipulates that details of all cases registered against the Chief Minister in federal and Punjab jurisdictions must be provided to the petitioner.

Additionally, if any arrest is to be made in connection with these cases, the court must be notified in advance.

The court emphasized that as the Chief Executive of a province, the Chief Minister is entitled to be informed of and provided with details about the cases against him.

This is in line with Article 10 of the Constitution, which mandates that individuals must be informed of charges against them.

The ruling also noted that the petitioner faces political opposition from the federal and Punjab governments.

As a representative of his province, the Chief Minister is not a fugitive and cannot be treated as such.

Copies of the order have been sent to the registrars of the Islamabad and Lahore High Courts.

Lahore High Court petitioned to nullify detentions of PTI workers 

A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court seeking to overturn all orders of detention imposed on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers ahead of today’s rally in Lahore.

The petition was submitted by former provincial assembly member Zainab Umair, represented by Advocate Azhar Siddique.

The petition argues that the detentions of PTI workers and leaders across Punjab are unlawful and unconstitutional. It contends that these detention orders are contrary to legal and constitutional provisions.

The petitioner has requested the court to annul the detention orders immediately and issue a directive for the release of all detained individuals.

Tensions have escalated in Lahore, as PTI gears up for the power show.

Yesterday, PTI supporters engaged in violent confrontations with police after the arrest of several party workers on the eve of their scheduled rally at Ring Road, Kahna.

The unrest led to roadblocks, tyre burnings, and significant disruptions across parts of the city.

The incident occurred in the wake of a larger crackdown by law enforcement against PTI activists amid ongoing political turmoil in the country.

According to local sources, police detained dozens of PTI workers, transporting them to an undisclosed location in a prison van. In response, outraged PTI supporters converged on Mini Market in Gulberg, blocking the main road and setting tyres ablaze.

The protest quickly escalated, with demonstrators hurling stones at police vehicles, causing damage and shattering windows.

SP Model Town, Ahsanullah Tarar, stressed the importance of maintaining law and order in the city. "No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," he stated. "We are committed to ensuring public safety and will take all necessary measures to prevent further disruption."

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