ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur appeared before the district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday in connection with a case pertaining to the recovery of arms and liquor. Following his appearance, the court cancelled the arrest warrants issued against him.
During the hearing, presided over by Judicial Magistrate Mubashar Hassan Chishti, the court also withdrew the show-cause notice and released Gandapur’s guarantor.
Gandapur’s counsel, Raja Zahoor ul Hassan, informed the court that they would not be recording the CM’s statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code during the hearing and instead requested that the court first hear arguments on the plea for acquittal. The judge accepted the request, allowing the defence to present arguments.
However, the defence lawyer said he needed at least five hours to prepare and could not present arguments immediately. The judge then announced that the questionnaire under Section 342 would be provided at 3 p.m.
Addressing the court, Ali Amin Gandapur explained his absence from a previous hearing, citing his role as both voter and chief minister during the Senate elections on July 21. When the judge noted that he had been offered the option to appear online, Gandapur replied that he did join online, but the court faced connectivity issues.
Following the exchange, the court allowed Gandapur to leave, and the hearing was adjourned until 3 p.m.
The case against Gandapur was filed at Bhara Kahu police station in Islamabad. Speaking to the media after his court appearance, the chief minister claimed the case was politically motivated and had been ongoing since 2016.
“This case was initiated when I wasn’t even present at the scene, nor was the vehicle mine,” he asserted, calling the charges baseless and fabricated. Gandapur also reiterated his support for PTI founder Imran Khan, stating that the ongoing legal battles were part of a wider struggle.
“We always respect the law and face the courts,” he said. “This is a war for truth. I will lead the protest on August 5 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
