A judicial magistrate in Islamabad ordered the arrest of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, after dismissing his request in search of exemption from personal appearance in a case pending recovery of illegal liquors and weapons, said Express News on Saturday.
Judicial magistrate Movebir Hassan Chishti issued non -financing arrest orders for the principal minister and ordered the representatives of the House of Representatives (SHO) concerned with guaranteeing their production before the court. A notice to the Sho for immediate compliance was also issued.
The case dates back to October 2016, when the Islamabad police claimed to have recovered five Kalashnikov assault rifles, a gun, six magazines, a bulletproof vest, alcohol and three tear gas shells of a vehicle belonging to the Tehreek-E-Insaf Pakistan (PTI) outside Bani Galaa.
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Gandapur, however, has constantly denied police accusations. He said he had been traveling with two Rifles of Kalashnikov licensed and said that a valid weapons license was present in the vehicle. Regarding the supposed recovery of the liquor, he said that the bottle in question contained honey, not alcohol.
During Friday’s hearing, the magistrate observed that the case has remained pending for almost eight years. The Prosecutor’s Office completed the recording of witness statements in May 2024, however, the defendant has not registered his declaration under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The court commented that the accused had provided a wide opportunity, and warned that a verdict could be announced even in his absence if he did not appear at the next hearing. “No more relief will be granted if the statement is not registered before July 21,” said the magistrate in his written order.
The Court also indicated that the bail of the Superior Court of Peshawar did not mention the present case and does not prohibit this court to issue arrest orders. The audience was postponed until July 21.
