ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's anti-terrorism court on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Gandapur has been named in two cases of violence registered at Sangjani and I-9 police stations in the capital Islamabad. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and other leaders are also named in the cases.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra of the Islamabad-based court heard two cases where Gandapur and another leader Amir Mughal were absent.
The court rejected Gandapur's immunity petition, expressed dissatisfaction over his repeated absences and issued an arrest warrant. It also issued similar non-bailable arrest warrant against Mughal.
Judge Supra said, "The situation has become a farce as one defendant appears while two do not. We are issuing arrest warrants for all the absent defendants." He said defendants absent on July 8 would be declared fugitives.
The judge also said that if no evidence was presented he would proceed on the merits and dismiss the cases.
The judge also sought a written response from the superintendent of Adiala jail regarding the appearance of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through video link and adjourned the hearing of the cases of both the police stations till July 8.
Gandapur, known for his thick mustache and wavy hair, is considered close to jailed chief Imran Khan. He often challenges the authorities to arrest him.
Despite many cases being registered, no action has been taken against them till now. He dismisses these cases as politically motivated as they were registered after protests by politicians and activists.
Gandapur has been named in two cases of violence registered at Sangjani and I-9 police stations in the capital Islamabad. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and other leaders are also named in the cases.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra of the Islamabad-based court heard two cases where Gandapur and another leader Amir Mughal were absent.
The court rejected Gandapur's immunity petition, expressed dissatisfaction over his repeated absences and issued an arrest warrant. It also issued similar non-bailable arrest warrant against Mughal.
Judge Supra said, "The situation has become a farce as one defendant appears while two do not. We are issuing arrest warrants for all the absent defendants." He said defendants absent on July 8 would be declared fugitives.
The judge also said that if no evidence was presented he would proceed on the merits and dismiss the cases.
The judge also sought a written response from the superintendent of Adiala jail regarding the appearance of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through video link and adjourned the hearing of the cases of both the police stations till July 8.
Gandapur, known for his thick mustache and wavy hair, is considered close to jailed chief Imran Khan. He often challenges the authorities to arrest him.
Despite many cases being registered, no action has been taken against them till now. He dismisses these cases as politically motivated as they were registered after protests by politicians and activists.
