An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan on Wednesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for key aides of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with riots and attacks on military installations during the May 9, 2023 protests.
The warrants were issued against Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator Shibli Faraz, Kanwal Shauzab and former party leader Fawad Chaudhry after they failed to appear in court. .
The case stems from incidents recorded at the Civil Lines Police Station, local media reported. The PTI has maintained that the charges are politically motivated to sideline Khan at the behest of Pakistan’s powerful military. The military has denied these accusations.
The protests broke out after Imran Khan was arrested by the national anti-graft agency in a land corruption case.
Protesters ransacked state buildings, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the top army commander’s residence in Lahore. The riots led to the arrest of nearly 2,000 PTI supporters and leaders and at least eight deaths.
Khan, who was charged last month with inciting violence against military installations, remains in prison following his conviction in August 2023 on corruption charges.
Although the PTI was excluded from the February 2024 elections, its independent candidates won the most seats, but not enough to form a government.
Last month, the government began talks with the PTI to reduce political tensions.
The PTI has insisted that judicial commissions be created to investigate the violence during the protests on May 9 and November 26 before participating further.
