A judicial magistrate in Islamabad has ordered the arrest of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after rejecting his application, which sought an exemption from personal performance in a long-term case relating to the recovery of spirits and illegal weapons, Express News reported on Saturday.
Court Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti issued non-accessible arrest warrants for the minister of chief and instructed the House Officer (SHO) Station, who was concerned to secure his production before the court. A message was also issued to SHO for immediate compliance.
The case dates back to October 2016, when the Islamabad police claimed to have recovered five Kalashnikov attack rifles, a gun, six magazines, a bulletproof vest, alcohol and three tear gas shells from a vehicle belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) heads outside Bani Gala.
ALSO READ: Trump says that up to five jets are immersed in the clash of Pakistan-India
However, Gandapur has consistently denied police accusations. He said he had traveled with two licensed Kalashnikov rifles and maintained that a valid weapon license was present in the vehicle. With regard to the alleged improvement of spirits, he claimed that the bottle in question contained honey, not alcohol.
During Friday’s consultation, the magistrate observed that the case has been pending for almost eight years. The prosecution concluded the admission of testimonies in May 2024, yet the defendants have not registered their declaration in accordance with section 342 of the criminal case code.
The court noted that it had given the defendant abundant opportunity and warned that a verdict could be announced even in his absence if he fails to act during the next hearing. “No further relief will be awarded if the declaration is not registered before July 21,” said the magistrate in his written order.
The court also noted that Peshawar High Court’s bail did not mention the present case and does not prevent this court from issuing arrest warrants. The consultation was postponed until July 21.
