Non-Bailable Arrest Warrant
An Islamabad judicial magistrate on Thursday suspended the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a case related to the recovery of arms and liquor. The case was originally registered at Islamabad’s Bhara Kahu Police Station.
The suspension came after CM Gandapur appeared before Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti in compliance with court orders.
During the proceedings, Gandapur’s counsel, Raja Zahoorul Hassan, informed the court that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had already granted his client protective bail until July 3, thus requesting the court to suspend the non-bailable arrest warrant in light of the chief minister’s appearance.
Magistrate Chishti questioned when the accused would submit his response to the Section 342 questionnaire, which is a standard procedure requiring an accused to answer specific questions about the case.
CM Gandapur assured the court that he would submit his response after the KP budget presentation was concluded. Satisfied with the explanation, the court accepted the plea and suspended the arrest warrant, subsequently adjourning the hearing until July 2.
In a separate but related development, CM Gandapur also appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasr Minallah Baloch the same day, regarding an audio leak case. His arrest warrant in this case was also suspended following his physical appearance in court.
The audio leak, which prompted legal action, allegedly features Gandapur inquiring about the availability of weapons, their licenses, and the number of people involved. The case was registered at the Golra Police Station and has garnered significant media attention due to Gandapur’s high-profile status.
During the court proceedings, Gandapur’s lawyer reiterated that the PHC had granted protective bail to the chief minister. When Gandapur informed the judge that he had another hearing scheduled for July 2, the judge stressed that his presence would be necessary for the formal indictment process. The hearing was then adjourned to the same date.
These legal proceedings come at a critical time for the KP government, as the chief minister juggles official duties with mounting legal challenges. The developments also underscore the complex intersection of politics and accountability in Pakistan’s legal system.
