ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and three other politicians over terrorism charges in the case pertaining to vandalism at the Judicial Complex, Islamabad.
Some of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) current and former leaders had been booked in a case under terrorism charges at I-9 police station in Islamabad.
Beside Gandapur, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Istehkam-e-Pakistan leader Aamer Mehmood Kiani and PTI leader Raja Rashid Hafeez are among those
It also declared ex-PTI leader Umer Tanveer Butt an absconder over his continuous absence at the case proceedings.
However, the court approved PTI leader Faisal Javed’s plea for exemption from appearance in the case hearing.
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ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while issuing the arrest warrant of Gandapur, turned down his bail petition, saying relief could not be provided every time without a solid reason.
The defendant’s lawyer informed the judge that the KP chief minister had told him that he could not appear before the court due to closure of routes.
“The court should grant one [more] chance, Ali Amin will [definitely] appear before the court,” the lawyer said. To which, the judge replied that he fixed the hearing date of Gandapur’s choice last time as well, but to no avail.
Later, Judge Spira adjourned hearing of the case till October 3.
The arrest warrant for Gandapur comes ahead of the much-hyped PTI power show in Lahore, set to take place today at 3pm under strict conditions imposed by the district administration. The KP CM is leading a caravan of PTI supporters from DI Khan to Lahore to participate in the Kahna rally.
 in Islamabad on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa){kind=link}