ATC issues arrest warrants for 8 PTI lawmakers

ATC issues arrest warrants for 8 PTI lawmakers

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for eight Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in connection with a case registered at Margalla Police Station.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra issued the warrants in Case No. 714 after the accused failed to appear before the court. The court directed the relevant authorities to arrest the lawmakers and present them before the court.

The lawmakers named in the court order include five members of the National Assembly — Shahid Khattak, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amir Dogar, Atif Khan and Iqbal Afridi.

The three members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly facing arrest warrants are Meena Khan Afridi, Dr Amjad and Shafi Jan.

The court’s decision comes as the proceedings in the Margalla Police Station case continue. By issuing non-bailable warrants, the court has instructed law enforcement authorities to take the accused into custody rather than allowing them to avoid proceedings through voluntary appearance.

The ATC also ordered the police and other relevant authorities to ensure that all eight accused appear before the court after their arrest. The court will proceed with the case once the lawmakers are produced before it.

The development adds to the legal challenges facing PTI lawmakers, several of whom are currently dealing with cases linked to political activities and protests. The latest court order places the eight lawmakers under a direct obligation to appear before the ATC through the legal process.

Further proceedings in the case will determine the next course of action against the accused.