ATC issues arrest warrant for PTI leader Asad Qaiser

Islamabad: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday issued an arrest warrant for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in connection with the Judicial Complex attack case.

Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered Qaiser’s arrest and directed authorities to produce him in court during the hearing of the case involving the PTI founder and other senior party figures. The case is registered at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station and has been adjourned until October 6.

During the proceedings, the court accepted exemption requests from PTI leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Asad Umar, and Shibli Faraz. A letter seeking guidance from the Ministry of Law on proceedings against the PTI founder remains unanswered.

Advocate Sardar Muhammad Razzaq represented Pervaiz Elahi, while Sardar Muhammad Masroor Khan, Amna Ali, and other lawyers appeared on behalf of the remaining PTI leaders.

In a separate development, a lower court acquitted Asad Qaiser in a case related to the 2022 Azadi March. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah approved Qaiser’s acquittal request, stating that the charges lacked sufficient evidence. The case, registered at Kohsar Police Station, accused Qaiser and others of violating public order during the protest. His legal team argued the case was politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.