ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday issued arrest warrants for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in a case related to the death of a police constable during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest on October 4.
The court also declared former opposition leader Omar Ayub, Amir Mughal, Hafeezur-Rehman and several other accused as absconders due to their repeated failure to appear before the court.
The ATC judge issued the orders during the hearing of the case registered at Noon Police Station. PTI leader Azam Swati appeared before the court, where proceedings continued against the accused present. The court recorded the statement of another prosecution witness against Swati and adjourned further hearing until June 22.
In a separate case linked to the alleged crushing of Rangers personnel during the PTI protest on November 26, Judge Tahir Supra issued a notice to the Executive Director of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) over the non-submission of a medical board report concerning accused Hashim Abbasi.
During the hearing, the court expressed displeasure over the failure to submit the report despite earlier directions and sought an explanation from the hospital administration. The matter was adjourned until July 8. The court had previously ordered the formation of a medical board on November 24. The case, registered at Ramna Police Station, also names the PTI founder and several party leaders among the accused. Proceedings are continuing against principal accused Hashim Abbasi.
Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah approved the post-arrest bail application of journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca. During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raised no objection to the bail plea. Following completion of arguments, the court granted bail against surety bonds worth Rs50,000 and ordered Barkat’s release. He had previously been sent to jail on judicial remand. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
