An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with a case involving violence against police during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest held in Lahore on 5 October.
The ATC also issued arrest warrants for three other PTI leaders — Hammad Azhar, Saeed Sindhu, and Shehbaz Ahmed — for failing to join the investigation despite repeated police summons.
Police said that the named individuals were wanted in cases related to the last year’s October 5 protest during which PTI workers allegedly attacked law enforcement personnel.
According to police officials, the PTI leaders had been nominated in multiple FIRs and were summoned on several occasions to join the investigation, but failed to comply.
On September 30, PTI founder Imran Khan gave call for a series of protests in support of the judiciary and against proposed judicial package, starting in Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Mianwali on October 2.
The incarcerated PTI founding chairman had also announced that the PTI workers would gather at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 4 and at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on October 5.
During these protests, particularly in Lahore and Islamabad, situation became tense as violent clashes took place between political supporters and police officials.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on October 5 said more than 80 police personnel had been injured in clashes with supporters of jailed former prime minister Khan, taking part in a march near Islamabad.
On the other hand, Lahore witnessed intense clashes between PTI activists and police as political unrest escalated across the metropolis.
The confrontations left dozens injured, both protesters and police personnel. The unrest, triggered by a PTI-led protest, quickly intensified as law enforcement used teargas to disperse demonstrators at several key locations, including Awan-e-Adal, Badami Bagh, and Sheranwala Gate. Despite a heavy police presence, many protesters resisted efforts to clear the areas.
