The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur concerning an arms and liquor recovery case. The court dismissed Gandapur’s request for an attendance exemption for medical reasons.
Civil Judge Shaista Khan Kundi ordered the Bhara Kahu station house officer (SHO) to arrest and present Gandapur in court by the next day. During the session, Judge Kundi expressed frustration over Gandapur’s repeated no-shows, noting the case had been called three times that morning.
Assistant lawyer Fatehullah Barki cited flooding in Peshawar as the cause for Gandapur’s absence, while Gandapur’s lawyer, Zahoorul Hasan, promised to submit a medical report, citing his illness. “One lawyer mentions flooding, another mentions poor health. We granted you relief before,” remarked Judge Kundi.
She referenced a Supreme Court decision that cases in the final stages should not head towards acquittal. “This is the eighth failure to record a statement, yet they claim the trial is unfair,” she stated.
Judge Kundi dismissed arguments regarding the treatment of a chief minister, challenging, “If the case is groundless, face the court bravely.”
After dismissing the media from the courtroom, she adjourned the hearing until the next day.
Back in October 2016, Islamabad police allegedly found weapons and alcohol in Gandapur’s vehicle near Bani Gala. The PTI leader denied these allegations, asserting he carried two licensed Kalashnikovs with a permit in the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) heard Gandapur’s pre-arrest bail application. Special Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the session where Gandapur’s lawyer submitted a medical certificate for his illness.
The lawyer explained that Gandapur injured his leg on a provincial visit and recommended a week’s rest. Judge Sipra postponed the ATC’s hearing to September 21 and granted Gandapur temporary relief.
