Non-bailable arrest warrants issued for Imran, Bushra, 94 others

Islamabad: An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and 93 others in for protests in the federal capital by party supporters.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing and accepted the police request, issuing non-bailable arrest warrants for the 96 suspects.

The first information report (FIR) was registered under Sections 114 (abettor present when offence is committed), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 151 (Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has commanded to disperse), 152(Assaulting to obstructing public servant when suppressing riot), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups, etc), 201 (hiding evidence of a crime), 324 (attempted murder), 365 (kidnapping), 395 (robbery), 427 (mischief causing damage amounting to Rs50), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) and 506ii (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code; Sections 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) and 21i (abutment) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 8 (punishment) of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024.

The FIR accused the PTI leaders of attacking police personnel under a “conspiracy” and using government employees for their purposes during the protest. It also said that the actions of protesters led to locals being trapped in their homes and spread fear and panic.

The police submitted a list of 96 suspects, containing the names of Imran, Bushra Bibi, CM Gandapur, former president Arif Alvi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, PTI Central Information Secretary Waqas Akram and several other party leaders, including Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, Sher Afzal Marwat, Faisal Javed, Zartaj Gul and Aamir Mughal, requesting that their arrest warrants be issued in connection to the case.

Numerous party workers were arrested in the ensuing crackdown while multiple cases were filed. One such case was filed at the Kohsar Police Station on Nov 26 on the complaint of Station House Officer Muhammad Imran.