Arrest warrant issued for chief minister from Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan's party

An Islamabad court has issued an arrest warrant for the Chief Minister of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a key member of the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and a close associate of the jailed ex-premier Imran Khan.

The court rejected his plea for exemption from appearance on medical grounds in a case involving illegal arms and liquor possession.

The judge noted the Chief Minister's absence during proceedings and emphasized that the case had been called three times since morning.

The chief minister's main lawyer mentioned a flood situation in Peshawar as a possible reason for his absence, but the judge was unswayed, reminding the counsel of his previous commitment. Another lawyer presented a medical report indicating the CM was unwell, but the conflicting reasons given by the two lawyers irritated the judge.The judge further noted that she had granted relief to the defendant during the previous hearing. The lawyer explained, "There were five cases this morning, and I have just been freed to appear in court. Our acquittal plea is pending."

Citing a Supreme Court judgment, the judge emphasized that cases in their final stages should be decided on merit rather than dismissed. She pointed out that Gandapur’s statement under Section 342 had yet to be recorded, despite eight opportunities.

Raja argued that the court's approach was unfair, stating, "The accused is the chief minister of a province, and you are passing a strict order."

The judge retorted, "If there is nothing in the case, then be brave and face the court."

Subsequently, the judge rejected Gandapur's request for exemption from appearance on medical grounds and ordered the SHO of Bhara Kahu police station in Islamabad to arrest Gandapur by Thursday and produce him before the court.

What is the case?

A case was filed against Gandapur following the recovery of five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bulletproof vest, three teargas shells, and bottles of alcohol in October 2016.

Gandapur, then serving as a provincial minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was charged under illegal arms and anti-drugs laws after illicit arms and a bottle of liquor were allegedly recovered from his car.

On March 7, a local court in Islamabad overturned a trial court's order that had declared Gandapur a "proclaimed offender."

The trial court had previously declared Gandapur an absconder for evading the law. However, a sessions court judge nullified the trial court's order in response to a review petition filed by Gandapur.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that Gandapur's official duties as the new KP chief minister had prevented him from attending court. The trial court had declared him a proclaimed absconder for missing multiple hearings, though the defense claimed he had not received the court's summons due to non-compliance by the process server.

The sessions judge accepted the request, requiring the lawyer to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000 on Gandapur's behalf and present a local guarantor.

Timeline of Gandapur's arrest warrants

Today marks the fifth instance of arrest warrants being issued against the PTI leader.

Gandapur first faced arrest warrants in 2014 when he was charged in a liquor possession case during his party’s prominent sit-in.

In April 2023, during PTI protests, he was accused of violating Section 144 and was subsequently arrested.

On February 15, 2024, the court issued warrants again, which were later canceled following his appearance.

Another set of warrants was issued on July 1, 2024, but was suspended once more after he appeared in court.