An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and four other senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in a case related to protests and clashes with police, Express News reported on Tuesday.
The case is related to the PTI's October 5, 2024 demonstration in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, during which the party's supporters allegedly engaged in violence against law enforcement officers.
The court issued the warrants on the request of Lahore police, who told the court that the accused leaders had repeatedly failed to join the investigation.
Anti-Terrorism Court Administrative Judge Manzar Ali Gul approved the police's request and issued the non-bailable warrants.
Among those named are former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar, along with Saeed Sindhu and Shahbaz Ahmed.
The case was registered at Masti Gate police station.
On October 5, 2024, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a large protest in Islamabad, led by senior party figures including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The demonstration was part of PTI’s ongoing campaign against the federal government, accusing it of political victimisation, interference in provincial matters, and denying the party its democratic rights.
As PTI supporters entered the federal capital, tensions escalated between protesters and security forces. Violent clashes were reported near key locations, including China Chowk, as police attempted to disperse crowds.
Amid this unrest, Chief Minister Gandapur — who had been at the forefront of the convoy — suddenly disappeared. CCTV footage later showed him entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, but leaving soon after in civilian clothes. His unexplained absence sparked concern within the party and among the public.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly responded swiftly, passing an emergency resolution condemning a raid on K-P House and demanding Gandapur’s immediate release, assuming he had been detained. PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser, issued public ultimatums, threatening nationwide protests if he was not produced within 24 hours.
However, the situation grew murkier when Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that Gandapur was not in federal custody and had gone into hiding on his own. This claim only fuelled political tensions and speculations.
Gandapur reappeared the next day, addressing the K-P Assembly in Peshawar. In a fiery speech, he accused the federal government of targeting PTI leaders, violating provincial autonomy, and attempting to erase the party’s political mandate. He defended the protest, condemned the crackdown, and vowed to continue resisting what he called “federal interference.”
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