Arrest Warrant
ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Saturday issued arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with a long-standing case related to the recovery of illegal weapons and liquor.
The court took the action after rejecting Gandapur’s plea seeking exemption from personal appearance during the latest hearing. The judge expressed frustration over the KP chief minister’s repeated absence and granted him one final opportunity to record his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The court cautioned that failure to appear could result in a verdict being delivered in his absence and warned that his continued no-show could forfeit his right to testify in his own defense.
In a stern directive, the court ordered the relevant law enforcement authorities to arrest and produce Gandapur before the court by July 21. It emphasized that any failure to execute the arrest warrant would be unacceptable and that the authorities must ensure compliance with the court’s instructions.
The judge further remarked that the case, which has been pending for over eight years, has already seen witness testimonies being recorded by the prosecution since May of the previous year. Expressing clear dissatisfaction with Gandapur’s conduct, the court observed that the KP CM appeared to be intentionally avoiding court proceedings and obstructing the judicial process.
Addressing potential legal conflicts, the court clarified that a previous ruling by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) does not impede the issuance of arrest warrants in this case. Thus, the Islamabad court maintained its authority to proceed independently in the matter.
The case has once again brought Gandapur into the national spotlight, particularly amid heightened political activity. Just a week ago, the KP chief minister had announced the launch of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s “do-or-die” protest campaign from Lahore, following the directives of the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan. The movement, expected to intensify in the coming weeks, is set to reach its peak by August 5.
With the hearing now adjourned until July 21, all eyes are on whether Gandapur will comply with the court’s order or face further legal consequences. The development adds another layer of complexity to the embattled PTI leadership’s growing list of legal and political challenges.
