Arrest warrants issued against PTI leaders in May 9 case

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for more than 40 PTI leaders over their absence in the case concerning the May 9 protest outside the GHQ.

The case was heard by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah. During the proceedings, defence lawyers sought the court’s permission to meet Mr Khan at Adiala Jail, stating that access was necessary to obtain instructions regarding the pending cases.

Defence counsel told the court that they had already taken instructions from the PTI founder in connection with the cases, reiterating that effective legal representation required direct consultation with their client.

Opposing the request, the special prosecutor submitted that Mr Khan was on bail in the May 9 GHQ attack case and was not in the custody of the ATC. He further informed the court that the PTI founder had since been convicted in another case, adding that the defence could approach the relevant forum if it had any grievance regarding access.

The prosecutor maintained that, as a convicted prisoner, the PTI founder was in the custody of the jail super-intendent and that, under the law, jail authorities had the power to regulate meetings. He argued that the issue raised by the defence did not fall within the jurisdiction of the ATC hearing the GHQ attack case.

In response, the defence counsel adopted a firm position, stating that until they were granted access to the PTI founder, they would not be a part of the court proceedings. During the hearing, the court also took notice of the absence of several accused and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 40 to 45 accused who failed to appear.