ISLAMABAD – A special anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for PTI leaders, with 50 senior members named in connection with the 26 November protest case.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain issued the warrants following a request submitted by Karachi Company Police Station. The court acted on the police’s plea, which cited non-compliance and legal violations during the protest held near the capital.
The protest, organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 26 November, led to road blockages, public disruption, and clashes with security personnel. Authorities later registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) at the Karachi Company Police Station.
Among those named in the arrest warrants for PTI leaders are former president Dr Arif Alvi, Umar Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Atif Khan, Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Shibli Faraz, Faisal Javed, and Salman Akram Raja.
The court also issued warrants for Rauf Hassan, Murad Saeed, Ahmad Niazi, Shoaib Shaheen, Azam Khan Swati, Umar Ayub, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Aleema Khan, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Kanwal Shauzab, Shandana Gulzar, and Sher Afzal Marwat.
According to court officials, the police had requested the warrants due to the failure of the accused to appear before investigators or cooperate during the inquiry.
The court directed authorities to implement the warrants and submit a compliance report in the next hearing.
In a separate case, the same court cancelled the arrest warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur in a liquor and weapons recovery case.
The 26 November protest was part of PTI’s larger political campaign following the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan. Legal proceedings against party leaders have intensified in recent months.
