Islamabad( The COW News Digital)Islamabad’s District and Sessions Court has issued arrest warrants against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with the case of alcohol and arms exports. The court has ordered his immediate arrest and presentation before the judiciary.
The hearing took place on Monday before Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti. Ali Amin Gandapur’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan, appeared in court and filed a plea seeking exemption from Gandapur’s attendance due to his engagement in Senate elections.
However, the judge insisted that Gandapur must record his statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and warned that failure to comply would result in termination of his rights in the case.
In response, the defense counsel assured the court that Ali Amin Gandapur would be present at the next hearing and would record his 342 statement. He further added that seven accused persons in the case had already been acquitted, and an application for the CM’s acquittal is still pending before the court.
Judge Chishti noted that the Chief Minister had previously promised to appear in court and record his statement and that the date for his appearance had been set with his consent. The defense counsel reminded the court that the Peshawar High Court had granted bail to Gandapur in all related cases, requesting the court to set a new date for the statement to be recorded.
Despite these arguments, the court rejected the exemption plea and issued arrest warrants against Ali Amin Gandapur. The court ordered that he must be arrested and presented by July 22. The hearing was adjourned until the same date.
This development intensifies the ongoing legal challenges facing the KP Chief Minister, who is implicated in the controversial case concerning the illegal export of liquor and weapons. The case has drawn considerable attention, reflecting the heightened scrutiny of public officials.
As the July 22 deadline approaches, political and legal circles will closely watch how Ali Amin Gandapur addresses the court’s demands and whether he will comply with the orders or face further legal complications.
The case’s outcome may significantly impact the political landscape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the broader discourse on accountability among elected officials in Pakistan.
