The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Zartaj Gul in the Sangjani rally case.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the three leaders to be arrested and produced before the court. The judge also dismissed Omar Ayub’s plea seeking exemption from appearance. The court noted that none of the accused had appeared even once during the hearings.
The PTI leaders were represented by advocates Sardar Masroof, Amna Ali, and Murtaza Turi. The case hearing has now been adjourned until October 20.
Earlier in July, an ATC in Sargodha also issued arrest warrants for 57 accused in the May 9 riots case. That list included several senior PTI leaders such as Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, former MNA Rana Bilal Ijaz, and MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha.
During that hearing at the Sargodha City police station case, witness testimonies were completed, according to PTI’s counsel Jawad Mazhar Dhon. However, no accused appeared in court for final arguments, which prompted the court to issue arrest warrants for all named individuals.
The Islamabad court’s decision comes amid a series of legal challenges facing PTI leaders following last year’s protests and political unrest. Legal experts say repeated issuance of arrest warrants indicates the courts’ growing frustration over non-appearances of key political figures.
The case has once again highlighted the increasing legal troubles for PTI, as its senior leadership continues to face charges in multiple courts across the country.
In other news read more about: ATC Issues Arrest Warrant for Asad Qaiser in Judicial Complex Attack Case
