Warrant
In a significant development, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) office in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has issued an order for the arrest of Ali Amin Gandapur, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The directive, sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ismail Khan, calls for Gandapur to be apprehended and presented before the ECP on February 28.
The issuance of this order is rooted in an application filed by lawyer Raja Zulqarnain Abid during the 2021 elections. The complaint alleges that Gandapur’s security personnel engaged in aerial firing during a party rally in Jhelum, Punjab, two years ago, violating the election code of conduct. A case related to this violation during the general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is currently pending before the Election Commission.
Ali Amin Gandapur, a former minister for Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs, is also the PTI’s nominee for the Chief Minister’s position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PTI secured the maximum number of seats in the province during the recent elections. However, Gandapur’s legal troubles have cast a shadow over his political prospects.
On a parallel legal front, the Peshawar High Court’s Dera Ismail Khan Bench granted protective bail to Gandapur in 26 cases registered against him by various police stations. This move provides temporary legal protection to Gandapur as he faces multiple charges.
Justice Faheem Wali Khan, presiding over a single-member bench, accepted Gandapur’s bail petition. The protective bail allows him some legal reprieve while navigating the complex legal challenges stemming from the alleged violations during the party rally and other cases.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Gandapur’s arrest order adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape, especially considering his nomination for the Chief Minister’s position. The coming days are likely to witness heightened legal scrutiny and political ramifications for Ali Amin Gandapur and the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
