Arrest warrants issued for Bushra, Gandapur

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for Bushra Bibi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and two other leaders in connection with the November 26 D-Chowk protest case.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued the warrants in a case registered at Ramna Police Station. The court ordered that the accused be arrested and presented before the court.

The warrants were issued due to repeated non-appearances by Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, Shahid Khattak and Sohail Afridi.

In a related development, Islamabad ATC granted interim bail to PTI leader Omar Ayub in the D-Chowk protest case while additional district and sessions judges approved his bail in five other cases until December 21.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra approved Omar Ayub's interim bail in a Kohsar Police Station case until December 16, issuing notices and seeking arguments on the next hearing date.

Separately, Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Asif Mehmood approved interim bail for Ayub in three cases, including two registered at Barakahu Police Station and one at Koral Police Station, until December 21.

The court directed the police to present records at the next hearing.

In another ruling, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka granted bail to Omar Ayub in two cases registered at Aabpara and Secretariat police stations. Bail was approved against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each, with final arguments scheduled for December 21.

A day earlier, an ATC granted interim bail to PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat in three cases related to the November 26 D-Chowk protest, restraining the police from arresting him.

Meanwhile, an additional district and sessions judge also approved interim bail for Marwat in two other cases.