ISLAMABAD Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other accused were issued a warning on Monday by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital, threatening to label them as “absconders” for their refusal to appear in court.
During the hearing of two cases filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and other party leaders regarding alleged vandalism and violation of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) at Sangjani and I-9 police stations in the federal capital, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra made the following remarks.
PTI leaders Faisal Javed Khan, Ali Nawaz Awan, Wasiq Qayyum, Aamer Kiani, and other accused came before the court during today’s session, while KP Chief Minister Gandapur and the PTI filed exemption requests.
Judge Supra responded to the request for an exemption from appearance by stating that it was not a good argument to claim that someone cannot appear in court because they are outside of the city.
“Who’s responsible for the failure to appear, the suspects or the court?” The court asked, clarifying that no one’s request to have their appearance excused would be taken into consideration.
Judge Supra stated, “We are issuing non-bailable warrants for all the absentee suspects.”
In response, the attorneys conceded that the suspects bear responsibility for their failure to show up for the hearing and asked the court to give them another chance, promising that all of the suspects will show up for the session.
