Arif Alvi and Ali Amin Gandapur Among PTI Leaders Facing Fresh Arrest Warrants
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for several senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including former president Dr Arif Alvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in connection with cases linked to the November 2024 protests.
The warrants also extend to other top PTI figures such as National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Khalid Khurshid, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, and PTI leader Hammad Azhar. Several additional party members are also named in the court’s orders.
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Special police teams have been formed to execute the arrests following the court directive. The cases pertain to violent demonstrations and public unrest reported during the November protests, part of a broader crackdown on PTI leadership in the wake of last year’s political turmoil.
This development follows a significant ruling on Tuesday by an ATC in Lahore, which sentenced eight PTI leaders to 10 years imprisonment each for their roles in the Sherpao Bridge arson and incitement case related to the May 9, 2023 protests. Those sentenced include Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema. Others convicted are Khalid Qayyum, Riyaz Hussain, Ali Hassan, and Afzal Azeem Pahat.
The court, however, acquitted six individuals due to lack of evidence, among them former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem.
The verdict, delivered by ATC Judge Arshad Javed inside Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail amid strict security, concluded the trial of 14 individuals accused of inciting violence, delivering provocative speeches, and damaging public property. The prosecution presented testimony from 61 witnesses to support the charges.
The Sherpao Bridge case, registered at Sarwar Road Police Station, stemmed from the violent incidents of May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. The Supreme Court had earlier directed trial courts to conclude all May 9-related cases within four months, prompting daily hearings to expedite judgments.
Separately, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar to 10 years in prison for his involvement in May 9-related incidents. The same ruling handed similar sentences to 70 accused individuals, including PTI provincial lawmaker Ahmad Chattha, though none were present in court during the verdict.
In related proceedings, the Mianwali riots and vandalism case saw exemption previously granted to 32 accused individuals, including Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, highlighting the widespread nature of legal actions stemming from the May 9 unrest.
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