An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has recently issued non-bailable arrest warrants for K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur along with several other leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The court’s decision also included declaring PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt an absconder due to his ongoing absences from court proceedings. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra rejected Ali Amin’s application for pre-arrest bail, which was tied to a terrorism case concerning the attack and vandalism at the Judicial Complex, a case initiated by the I-9 police station.
Ali Amin’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor Hassan, sought an exemption for his client’s absence from the hearing, but the court dismissed this request. The judges noted that Ali Amin had previously missed a hearing on September 4 but had attended a rally shortly afterward on September 8, which raised concerns about his commitment to the court.
In light of his absence, the court denied Ali Amin’s bail request and issued non-bailable warrants for him and several others, including Wasif Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Rashid Hafeez, and Amir Mehmood Kiani. Meanwhile, Umar Tanveer Butt’s continued absence led to his classification as an absconder.
In addition to the courtroom developments, tensions have escalated in Lahore as PTI prepares for a significant rally. Clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police after several party workers were arrested ahead of the planned event at Ring Road, Kahna. This unrest resulted in roadblocks and tyre burnings, causing major disruptions throughout the city.
The situation unfolded against a backdrop of heightened law enforcement actions against PTI activists amid ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan. Reports indicate that numerous PTI workers were detained and transported to an undisclosed location in a police van. In response, enraged PTI supporters gathered at Mini Market in Gulberg, blocking roads and setting tyres on fire. The protests intensified, with demonstrators throwing stones at police vehicles, causing damage and shattered windows.
SP Model Town, Ahsanullah Tarar, emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order, assuring the public that measures would be taken to prevent any further disruption. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he stated, underscoring the commitment to ensuring public safety during these tumultuous times.
