Peshawar court issues warrants in May 9 cases

Non-bailable arrest warrants issued for 19 accused over protest violence

PESHAWAR:

An Additional District and Sessions Judge in Peshawar on Thursday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 19 accused after they failed to appear before the court in cases related to protests and damage to public property following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan.

Judge Muhammad Kashif Mirza passed the orders while hearing bail applications filed by the accused nominated in multiple cases registered over protests held on May 9 and 10. The court directed the concerned authorities to ensure the production of the absconding suspects at the next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until January 27.

At the outset of the hearing, 20 nominated accused, including Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, appeared before the court. Lawyers representing the petitioners, prosecution officials, and other concerned parties were also present.

Prosecutors informed the court that following the arrest of the PTI founding chairman, protests erupted in various parts of Peshawar. During the unrest, protesters allegedly set fire to the Radio Pakistan building and carried out vandalism along the GT Road. Clashes reportedly broke out between the police and demonstrators, leaving several people injured.

In this connection, a case was registered at Gulbahar police station, nominating Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi and 36 others. Taking notice of repeated non-appearance, the court issued non-bailable warrants for 19 accused and deferred further hearing to January 27.

Meanwhile, the Peshawar Counter-Terrorism Court (ATC) has handed over two suspects, arrested for facilitating a banned organization, to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Mohmand on a four-day physical remand.

The suspects, identified as Tayyab Khan and Jawadullah, were presented before ATC Judge Fareed Alizai. According to the investigating officer, both men are operatives of the banned organization and were involved in supplying weapons and funds to its members.