ISLAMABAD – A special anti-terrorism court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in connection with multiple protest-related cases stemming from last November’s demonstrations.
The warrants were issued in three separate cases lodged at Sadiqabad, Wah Cantt, and Naseerabad police stations following widespread unrest during PTI’s anti-government protests.
Among those named in the court order are some of the party’s most prominent figures: former President Dr Arif Alvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, Shahid Khattak, Khalid Khurshid, Faisal Amin, Wahab Alvi, and Shehryar Riaz.
The move came after Prosecutor Syed Zaheer Shah submitted a formal request, urging the court to expedite proceedings and authorise immediate arrests. The court accepted the plea and set July 25 as the next hearing date. In the meantime, judicial staff have issued notices to the accused and their legal counsel.
According to court documents, the PTI leaders face charges ranging from vandalism and rioting to assaulting police personnel and interfering with government operations during last year’s protests, which saw thousands take to the streets in a wave of political unrest.
Police sources confirmed that special teams have been constituted to execute the court’s orders. Raids are expected to begin shortly as law enforcement seeks to bring the accused into custody.
The development marks another escalation in the legal troubles facing PTI’s top leadership as the party continues to grapple with mounting political and judicial pressure ahead of potential national elections.
