The ATC also orders to block the passports of Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul in connection with the protest on November 26 last year.
PTI leaders (from left) Zartaj Gul, Sheikh Waqas and Omar Ayub. Photo: Archives
An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad has issued an arrest warrant against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Sheikh Waqas Akram and ordered authorities to block the passports of PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul in connection with cases related to the November 26, 2024 protests.
According Express NewsJustice Tahir Abbas Supra presided over the hearing and directed relevant departments to block the passports of the two PTI leaders, directing that a compliance report be submitted to the court. The court also summoned all interested persons and adjourned the proceedings until December 3.
On November 26 last year, authorities dispersed a PTI protest organized with the stated aim of forcing the federal government to release party founder Imran Khan and reverse a constitutional amendment by launching a harsh crackdown a day after protesters entered Islamabad.
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Earlier this year, the Ministry of Communications revealed in the National Assembly that the government suffered a loss of Rs 151 million due to highway closures during that protest.
Presenting details of losses caused by the opposition party protests in a written reply to the lower house of Parliament, Communications Minister Aleem Khan said highways were closed due to law and order concerns, noting that intelligence reports indicated that protesters, armed with sticks and slingshots, were planning to disturb the peace and cause damage to public property.
IHC summons officials in PTI founder’s jail meeting ban case
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to officials in a contempt of court petition filed over denial of a meeting with the PTI founder. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the case on a petition filed by lawyer Salman Akram Raja. Raja told the court that despite a written order, he was not allowed to meet the PTI founder last Tuesday.
Raja requested that the Additional Secretary (Judicial) be directed to accompany him to the jail to ensure that the meeting could take place. However, the judge rejected the request, stating: “No, we cannot send an officer with you; we will issue notices and the matter will proceed according to the law.”
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Calling the deputy attorney general to the stand, Justice Tahir questioned why the meeting was blocked despite court orders. “If Salman Akram Raja cannot meet his client in jail, how will Twitter (X) help us in the case?” he commented.
The Deputy Attorney General said he would refer the matter to the relevant authorities. Subsequently, the court sent notices to the Home Secretary, Jail Superintendent and other officials, seeking a written response from them.
