Islamabad, July 31, 2025: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for 50 senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in connection with a protest held on November 26 last year.
The decision was announced during a hearing presided over by ATC Judge Abul Hasnaat Zulqarnain. The warrants were issued on the request of police officials, who submitted that the PTI leaders were allegedly involved in organizing and participating in violent demonstrations. The cases are registered under two First Information Reports (FIRs) at the Karachi Company police station in Islamabad.
Prominent figures named in the arrest warrants include former president Dr. Arif Alvi, ex-National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, and former federal ministers Hammad Azhar and Shibli Faraz. Other high-profile PTI members named in the court order include Umar Amin Gandapur, Atif Khan, Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Faisal Javed, and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja.
The list also includes PTI representatives and activists such as Rauf Hassan, Murad Saeed, Ahmad Niazi, Shoaib Shaheen, Azam Swati, Omar Ayub, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Aleema Khan — the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan. Additional names mentioned are Sheikh Waqas Akram, Kanwal Shauzab, Shandana Gulzar, and Sher Afzal Marwat.
In a separate development, the same court cancelled an arrest warrant previously issued for PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur in a case related to the alleged recovery of alcohol and weapons. The court determined that there were sufficient grounds to withdraw the warrant.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, a local court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Shibli Faraz in another case pertaining to an alleged assault on Islamabad police outside Imran Khan’s residence.
The Cantt Kacheri court also summoned the PTI founder to appear on July 30, directing Adiala Jail authorities — where he is currently detained — to ensure his presence. Judicial Magistrate Suhail Rafiq, who presided over the hearing, emphasized the importance of the accused being present in court. The next hearing is scheduled for the same date.
