Mohsin Naqvi denies CM Gandapur's arrest amid PTI's legal moves to recover him

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denied that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is in police or any agency's custody. During a media interaction after attending the funeral prayer of police constable Abdul Hamid Shah, who was killed during PTI protests, Naqvi stated that Rangers and police had raided the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House for Gandapur but found him absent, Express News reported.

“He fled through the main entrance when the raid occurred,” Naqvi added, confirming that Islamabad police are currently searching for the Chief Minister. He also announced that a crackdown against Afghan citizens would be initiated in the coming days.

Naqvi directed the Inspector General of Islamabad police to ensure the swift arrest of those responsible for the violence against Constable Abdul Hamid Shah, insisting that justice be served for the slain officer.

In the related development, the PTI lawyers' wing has approached the Peshawar High Court against the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Gandapur's lawyer, Alam Khan Adeenzai, stated that a petition has been prepared for the Chief Minister's recovery and will be filed as soon as the court staff arrive.

Advocate General Shah Faisal Atmakhail mentioned that he has contacted the registrar of the Peshawar High Court, requesting the Chief Justice to hear the petition today. He expressed hope that the Chief Justice would form a special bench for this matter.

Alam Khan Adeenzai further questioned the implications of the Chief Executive's arrest, stating, “What message does the federal government want to send with the arrest of the Chief Minister?”