ISLAMABAD; A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday allowed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to submit his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code through a video link in the long-standing arms and liquor recovery case.
The proceedings resumed under Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan, during which Gandapur’s legal counsel informed the court that the chief minister would record his statement via video link at 3 PM. The defence counsel also raised a query regarding the legal provision under which the court might deny the right to record a statement under Section 342 due to absence from hearings.
Responding to the concern, Magistrate Hassan referred to his prior orders, highlighting the court’s jurisdiction and pointing out that the defence should have carefully reviewed the ruling. The magistrate had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over Gandapur’s repeated absences and warned that the case could be decided in his absence if he failed to appear, which might result in the forfeiture of his right to make a statement.
The case, pending for the past eight years, has seen the prosecution present witness testimonies since May 2023. During today’s hearing, although the court granted permission for the video appearance, technical issues disrupted the process. Internet connectivity problems at the court prevented the recording of Gandapur’s statement.
Despite the delay, the court retained CM Gandapur’s arrest warrant and directed him to respond to a show-cause notice for his continued non-appearance. The order noted that the chief minister appears willing to testify, but logistical barriers impeded the process.
The court has now given him another chance to appear either in person or via video link, and adjourned the proceedings until July 24.
