A court in Rawalpindi issued arrest warrants for some leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, due to their involvement in riots on May 9, 2023.
These riots happened after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a money-related case. During the protests, many buildings, including public and military ones, were attacked.
The military decided to try the rioters under military law, calling May 9 a “Black Day.” Besides CM Gandapur, arrest warrants were issued for other PTI leaders and former members based on statements from the suspects involved.
In response, a spokesperson for the KP Chief Minister criticized the government for what they called fake charges against PTI leaders. They promised legal action against these allegations and also highlighted what they saw as unfair treatment compared to others facing similar accusations.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, a court acquitted PTI founder Imran Khan in cases related to vandalism during a March 2022 long march. Khan’s lawyer argued that he was not involved in the vandalism and that procedural errors were made in the cases against him. The court accepted these arguments and acquitted Khan.
Overall, these legal proceedings reflect the ongoing tensions and legal battles within the political landscape of Pakistan, particularly involving the PTI party and its leaders.