Court orders arrest of CM Gandapur in illegal arms, liquor case

The District and Sessions Court, Islamabad, issued arrest orders for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur due to his repeated non-appearance in a case involving alleged illegal arms and liquor possession.

Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti presided over the hearing of the case, during which the investigation officer failed to appear. Additionally, Gandapur’s legal representative, Advocate Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan, was also absent.

Expressing frustration over the continuous absences, the court remarked that such disregard for legal proceedings is unacceptable.

The judge directed the SSP Operations to arrest and produce the accused before the court. The next hearing is scheduled for January 21.

In October 2016, Islamabad police claimed to have recovered a pistol, five Kalashnikovs, three tear gas shells, six magazines, and bottles of alcohol from Gandapur's vehicle. A case was subsequently registered against him.

However, Gandapur denied possessing unlicensed weapons, asserting he only carried a licensed pistol and dismissing the alcohol bottles as honey.

The trial court had previously declared Gandapur a proclaimed offender in the case. However, the district court later annulled this proclamation order.

The case continues to draw attention as the accused remains unresponsive to court summons.