PM's political adviser Rana Sanaullah faces non-bailable arrest warrant

A judicial magistrate has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, in connection with a case registered at the Satellite Town police station in Punjab's Gujranwala district.

The court has ordered his arrest and presentation before the court.

In the case, former minister Khurram Dastgir, city president Salman Khalid, and MPA Imran Khalid Butt have already been acquitted.

The police had submitted a report under Section 173, declaring Rana Sanaullah innocent. However, the court rejected the report. The police had also delayed submitting the charge sheet for the case.

The court has directed the local police to arrest Rana Sanaullah and present him in court by December 12.

The 2020 FIR in the case stated that four Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) members, attending the PDM's Gujranwala rally on October 16, attempted to drive their vehicle into law enforcement officers.

Sanaullah is accused of removing a container and allegedly driving a vehicle over police officers. The case was filed by the police themselves under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

Rana Sanullah defends senior journalist Matiullah Jan

Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah had recently dismissed the charges against senior journalist Matiullah Jan as "fabricated" during an interview.

Jan's arrest on charges of drug possession and terrorism has faced widespread criticism, with many considering the case politically motivated.

Sanaullah, responding to questions about Jan's FIR and his own past narcotics case, emphasized that such charges are often fabricated.

He called for accountability from the Islamabad police, arguing that the case should be decided purely on merit, with those responsible for fabricating the charges punished and Jan released if found innocent.

Sanaullah also defended Jan’s role as a journalist, stating that independent reporters like him are crucial in uncovering the truth. “Such lies can’t stand when independent journalists report facts,” he asserted.

Jan was detained in Islamabad on Wednesday night, with initial reports of his abduction later confirmed as an arrest.

The FIR claims Jan tried to ram his vehicle into police officers, injuring one constable, and was later found in possession of narcotics. Jan's legal team has strongly rejected the charges, with his lawyer calling them baseless.

Sanaullah himself faced similar charges in 2019 under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, when he was accused of possessing narcotics. However, a court later acquitted him, ruling the charges were politically motivated.