ISLAMABAD; A district and sessions court in Islamabad has issued an arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in a long-pending weapons and liquor recovery case.
The warrant was issued on Sunday by Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan, who resumed proceedings in the case. The court rejected Gandapur’s latest application seeking exemption from personal appearance and directed authorities to arrest him and ensure his presence before the court by Monday (July 22).
This is not the first time the court has taken such action. Two days earlier, a similar arrest warrant had been issued, with the court offering what it termed a “final opportunity” for Gandapur to record his statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure — a crucial stage in a criminal trial where the accused is required to respond to the evidence presented against them.
In its remarks, the court expressed frustration over the repeated non-appearances, stating that Gandapur was “deliberately avoiding” the judicial process. The magistrate warned that if he continues to remain absent, the court may proceed to deliver its verdict in his absence, potentially forfeiting his legal right to respond to the prosecution’s evidence.
The case against Gandapur has been pending for nearly eight years. According to court records, the prosecution has presented its witnesses and recorded statements since May 2023, with only the accused’s testimony remaining. The delay in concluding the trial has prompted judicial scrutiny, especially in light of the Chief Minister’s continued failure to appear in court.
The court’s order emphasized that no further delays would be tolerated and underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law, regardless of the accused’s political stature.
This legal development coincides with mounting political tensions in the country. Just days ago, Gandapur, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, publicly announced the launch of the party’s anti-government protest movement from Lahore. Dubbed a “do-or-die” campaign, the movement was initiated on the instructions of jailed PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The protest drive is expected to reach its peak by August 5.
The issuance of the arrest warrant adds legal pressure on the firebrand KP chief executive at a time when he is playing a pivotal role in PTI’s renewed push to challenge the federal government.
