A court in Islamabad, Pakistan, has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The warrant stems from a 2016 case involving the alleged recovery of weapons and alcohol. Gandapur was a minister in the KP government at the time and was accused of violating illegal arms and anti-drugs laws. The court, presided over by Judge Shaista Khan Kundi, rejected Gandapur’s request for exemption from appearing in court, citing contradictory statements from his legal team regarding his inability to attend.
This latest development adds to the mounting pressure on PTI leaders, who have been subject to a relentless crackdown since Imran Khan’s fall from grace. The PTI, once a dominant force in Pakistani politics, has faced numerous legal challenges and restrictions, including a ban on fielding candidates in the recent national elections.
The case against Gandapur involves the alleged recovery of five Kalashnikov rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bullet-proof vest, three teargas shells, and bottles of alcohol in October 2016. The court has directed the concerned police station house officer (SHO) to apprehend Gandapur and present him before the court.
The PTI, under Imran Khan’s leadership, has been accused of inciting violence and undermining state institutions, leading to a significant erosion of its political support. The party has also been criticized for its handling of the country’s economic crisis and its failure to address key issues such as inflation and unemployment.
Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated on various charges, has been a vocal critic of the Pakistani military establishment, accusing it of manipulating the political landscape and orchestrating his removal from power. The crackdown on PTI leaders is seen by many as a concerted effort to silence dissent and consolidate power within the ruling coalition.
