A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Saturday issued arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with a long-pending liquor and illegal weapons recovery case. The court ordered the concerned authorities to arrest and present Gandapur before the court by July 21, warning that failure to do so would not be tolerated.
The arrest orders were issued after the court rejected Gandapur’s request for exemption from personal appearance. During the hearing, the judge expressed serious displeasure over the KP chief executive’s repeated absence and emphasized that the case had already lingered far too long—eight years, to be exact.
The presiding judge granted Gandapur a final opportunity to appear before the court and record his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court further warned that if Gandapur fails to appear again, it could proceed with a verdict in his absence, which may result in the forfeiture of his right to defend himself.
The accused is deliberately avoiding court proceedings. The case cannot remain pending indefinitely. The court must proceed toward a conclusion, read the detailed order.
The judge also noted that despite a ruling from the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in Gandapur’s favor, that decision does not bar the district and sessions court in Islamabad from issuing arrest warrants.
The court order emphasized that the prosecution has already completed recording witness testimonies since May of last year, and no further delay in the trial would be tolerated.
It is imperative for the accused to present himself. The law must take its course, the order further read.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned until July 21, with a clear directive that law enforcement agencies must not fail to execute the arrest orders.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 2016, when law enforcement agencies allegedly recovered liquor bottles and illegal weapons from Gandapur’s vehicle. At the time, he was serving as a federal minister and a prominent member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The issue sparked controversy, given his high-profile political status and association with a party known for projecting a moral and anti-corruption stance.
Though Gandapur denied the allegations and claimed political victimization, the case has since moved slowly through the legal system. Several attempts were made to delay or dismiss the proceedings, but the Islamabad court has now signaled its intent to bring the matter to a close.
Political Context
This legal development comes at a politically sensitive time, as Chief Minister Gandapur recently announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign under the PTI banner. The “do-or-die” protest movement, initiated from Lahore, aims to pressure the current federal government and regain political momentum for the party, whose founder Imran Khan remains incarcerated.
The campaign is scheduled to intensify and reach its peak by August 5, according to PTI leadership. Party officials have labeled it a decisive movement to restore democracy and challenge what they term an “illegitimate” government.
Gandapur, a close ally of Imran Khan, has been playing a key role in organizing and leading the protest activities. Political analysts believe that the timing of the arrest warrants could significantly impact PTI’s protest strategy and disrupt their plans, especially in KP where Gandapur enjoys considerable influence.
Legal vs Political Drama
While PTI supporters have decried the court’s decision as politically motivated, legal experts maintain that the arrest order falls within the court’s jurisdiction, especially considering the prolonged delay and Gandapur’s repeated absence.
The court’s firm stance appears to reflect a broader judicial intent to assert independence and accountability, particularly in high-profile cases involving influential political figures.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on July 21, the date by which authorities are expected to arrest and produce Gandapur before the court. Failure to do so could not only escalate tensions between federal institutions and the KP government but also ignite further protests by PTI supporters nationwide.
