An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan on Wednesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for key aides of former prime minister Imran Khan in connection with riots and attacks on military installations during May 9, 2023, protests.
The warrants were issued for Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Opposition Leader in the Senate Senator Shibli Faraz, Kanwal Shauzab, and former party leader Fawad Chaudhry after they failed to appear before the court.
The case stems from incidents registered at the Civil Lines Police Station, local media reported. The PTI has maintained that the charges are politically motivated to sideline Khan at the behest of Pakistan’s powerful military. The military has denied these accusations.
The protests erupted after Imran Khan was arrested by the national anti-corruption agency over a land graft case.
Demonstrators ransacked state buildings, including the military’s GHQ in Rawalpindi and the Lahore residence of the army’s top commander. The unrest resulted in the arrests of nearly 2,000 PTI supporters and leaders, and at least eight deaths.
Khan, who was indicted last month on charges of inciting violence against military installations, remains imprisoned following his August 2023 conviction on corruption charges.
Despite the PTI being barred from the February 2024 election, its independent candidates secured the most seats but not enough to form a government.
Last month, the government initiated talks with the PTI to de-escalate political tensions.
The PTI has insisted on judicial commissions to probe violence during protests in May 9 and November 26 before engaging further.
