Balochistan Police on Friday conducted a raid at the residence of former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Khan Suri, located in the Hanna Urak area of Quetta, according to police sources.

However, they added that Suri was not present at his residence at the time of the raid. The police action came after an Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former NA deputy speaker.

A senior police officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the raid was conducted after Suri failed to appear before the court. He said that the PTI leader was wanted in two cases in connection with his alleged role in the May 9 incidents.

Read more: Election festivities missing this time

Earlier in the day, Ali Hassan Advocate, the counsel for Suri, submitted a bail application in the Balochistan High Court (BHC). However, the court rejected the application.

Hassan, talking to the media, said that the police were hesitant to furnish comprehensive details regarding the cases registered against Suri.

During the hearing, BHC’s Justice Kamran Malakhail expressed dissatisfaction with the petitioner’s defence, asserting that they had completely failed to take advantage of the opportunities given by the court. “This clearly showed that they had nothing to say in their defence,” he added.

The judge further stated that the statements of the Advocate General and Prosecutor General of Balochistan indicated that there were criminal cases registered against the petitioner.

Addressing the legal petition filed by Suri against the Ministry of Interior and the government of Pakistan, Justice Malakhail issued an order for the initiation of an inquiry against Muhammad Imran Alvi, the lawyer representing Suri.