In a significant development related to the violent protests that erupted nationwide on May 9, 2023, the Special Anti-Terrorism Court has issued arrest warrants for 29 members and leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
The warrants were issued in 12 cases of arson and vandalising, including the attack on key installations such as the GHQ, Army Museum, office of a sensitive institution, and a metro bus station.
The protests erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in connection with a corruption case on May 9, 2023. Allegedly, PTI supporters and workers engaged in violent acts, attacking various state and military installations, including the GHQ in Rawalpindi, and vandalizing and setting fire to memorials and other properties.
Express News reported that apart from Chief Minister Gandapur, arrest warrants have been issued for several other PTI leaders, including Shibli Faraz, Murad Saeed, Zartaj Gul, Shireen Mazari, Zulfi Bukhari, and Shahbaz Gil. Additionally, warrants have been issued for Musarat Jamshed Cheema, Lt-Gen (retd) Akram Sahi, and former law minister Raja Basharat.
Sources indicate that investigation teams from RA Bazar, Race Course, New Town, Civil Line, and Sadiqabad police stations have obtained the arrest warrants, and police teams have been formed to execute them. Meanwhile, leaders of PTI have decided to seek interim bails to address the legal ramifications of the warrants.
According to judicial sources, police investigation teams appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court and requested the arrest warrants to facilitate the completion of the investigation. Judge Malik Ijaz Asif approved these requests, signaling a significant step forward in the legal proceedings.
However, it’s worth noting that the warrants for former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi have not been issued, as confirmed by judicial sources.
Sources indicate that investigation teams from RA Bazar, Race Course, New Town, Civil Line, and Sadiqabad police stations have obtained the arrest warrants, and police teams have been formed to execute them. Meanwhile, leaders of PTI have decided to seek interim bails to address the legal ramifications of the warrants.
