ATC Issues Arrest Warrants for Arif Alvi, Ali Amin Gandapur & Other PTI Leaders
In a significant legal move, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants for several high-profile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former President Arif Alvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The action is linked to protest-related cases from November 2023.
Warrants Issued in Protest Cases
The court has also named other PTI figures such as MNA Shahid Khattak, ex-GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Faisal Amin Gandapur, Wahab Alvi, and Hammad Azhar in the same cases. Arrest orders also include Umar Ayub, Shehryar Riaz, and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.
According to court records, these warrants are associated with three protest-related cases stemming from events on November 26, 2023. Aleema Khan and Azam Swati have also been mentioned in connection with the unrest.
Following the court’s direction, special police teams have been constituted to apprehend the accused individuals.
May 9 Verdict: Sentencing and Acquittals
In a separate development, an ATC in Lahore handed down 10-year prison sentences to several PTI leaders including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and others. The case was tied to arson and vandalism during the May 9 protests following former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted in this case, alongside five other individuals including Hamza Azim, after the court found insufficient evidence against them.
The verdicts were announced following multiple hearings held at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where the court reviewed testimony, examined video footage, and considered other case materials. The riots in question occurred at Lahore’s Sherpao Bridge on May 9, 2023, when demonstrations erupted after Imran Khan’s detention by paramilitary forces on corruption charges.
Political & Legal Implications
The crackdown on PTI leadership marks an intensification of legal proceedings against the party following nationwide protests in 2023. With both new arrest warrants and convictions being issued within days of each other, political observers view the developments as a sign of escalating judicial scrutiny.
While supporters claim political victimization, courts continue to proceed based on available evidence and case files submitted by investigative agencies.
Conclusion
The current legal wave against PTI leaders shows no sign of slowing. As courts conclude older cases and initiate proceedings on newer charges, Pakistan’s political landscape remains under judicial and public focus. More legal outcomes are expected as investigations continue.
