The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has postponed the hearing of the case of Kamran Bangash, a former provincial minister of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), due to the absence of prosecution witnesses.

The case concerns allegations of shootings at police officers. The court has now ordered the witnesses to be present at the next hearing scheduled for February 10.

The former provincial minister was charged in the case last week. However, he refused to plead guilty, leading to the start of his trial.

On Monday, although ATC Judge Asad Ali had commenced the hearing, prosecution witnesses did not appear in court and their statements could not be recorded.

According to the prosecution, a dramatic turn had taken place on December 20, 2023, when Chamkani police station had raided the guest house of Kamran Bangash in an attempt to apprehend the absconding PTI leader Murad Saeed.

Unfortunately, the situation had taken a violent turn with two police officers being injured after the police party was fired upon.

The police subsequently filed a case against Kamran Bangash and his associates on charges that included terrorism.

After a thorough investigation, the police had then filed the case in court, paving the way for the trial of Bangash to begin.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled for February 10.

On January 12, the ATC indicted the PTI leader in the case of firing on a police party.

In October 2023, Bangash was taken into police custody.

The arrest took place in close proximity to Bangash’s residence, located near Peshawar’s expressway toll plaza, soon after authorities received information about his whereabouts. The operation was carried out in the presence of female police officers.