Islamabad, July 21, 2025 – A district and sessions court in Islamabad has issued an arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur due to his repeated failure to appear in court for a case involving the recovery of weapons and liquor. The decision, made by Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan, comes as the court rejected Gandapur’s plea for exemption from personal appearance.
During Monday’s hearing, Magistrate Hassan ordered authorities to arrest the KP chief minister by July 22 and present him before the court. The court expressed frustration over Gandapur’s absence, noting that the case has been pending for eight years, with witness testimonies recorded since May 2024. The judge emphasized that Gandapur’s deliberate avoidance of the hearings could lead to a verdict in his absence, potentially forfeiting his right to record a statement under Section 342.
This marks the second arrest warrant issued against Gandapur in the same case within days. On July 19, the court had granted him a final opportunity to provide his statement, warning of consequences for non-compliance. The case has drawn significant attention amid Gandapur’s recent announcement of a “do-or-die” protest movement by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), set to escalate by August 5 under the directives of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The court’s ruling underscores ongoing tensions as the PTI ramps up its anti-government campaign, with Gandapur at the forefront of the party’s political strategy. Authorities are now tasked with ensuring the chief minister’s compliance with the court’s orders.
