ATC also orders blocking of passports of Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul in connection with last year’s November 26 protest
PTI leaders (From Left) Zartaj Gul, Sheikh Waqas and Omar Ayub. Photo: Files
An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad issued arrest warrant for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Sheikh Waqas Akram and ordered authorities to block the passports of PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul in connection with the cases pertaining to November 26, 2024 protests.
According to Express News, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra presided over the hearing and directed the relevant departments to block the passports of the two PTI leaders, instructing that a compliance report be submitted to the court. The court also issued summons to all concerned individuals and adjourned the proceedings until December 3.
On November 26 last year, authorities dispersed a PTI protest organised with the avowed aim to force the federal government to release party founder Imran Khan and roll back a constitutional amendment by launching a heavy-handed crackdown a day after the protesters entered Islamabad.
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Earlier this year, the communications ministry revealed in the National Assembly that the government incurred a loss of Rs151 million due to the closure of motorways during that protest.
Presenting the details of the losses caused by the opposition party’s protests in a written reply to the lower house of Parliament, Communications Minister Aleem Khan said that the motorways were shut due to law and order concerns, noting that intelligence reports indicated that protestors, armed with sticks and slingshots, planned to disrupt peace and cause damage to public property.
IHC summons officials in case on PTI founder jail meeting ban
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to officials in a contempt of court petition filed over the denial of a meeting with the PTI founder. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the case on a petition filed by Salman Akram Raja advocate. Raja told the court that despite a written order, he was not allowed to meet the PTI founder last Tuesday.
Raja requested that the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) be directed to accompany him to the jail to ensure the meeting could be held. However, the judge declined the request, stating, “No, we cannot send an officer with you; we will issue notices, and the matter will proceed according to law.”
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Calling the Assistant Attorney General to the rostrum, Justice Tahir questioned why the meeting was blocked despite court orders. “If Salman Akram Raja cannot meet his client in jail, how will he assist us in the Twitter (X) case?” he remarked.
The Assistant Attorney General said he would convey the matter to the relevant authorities. The court subsequently issued notices to the Interior Secretary, Jail Superintendent, and other officials, seeking written response from them.
