ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Wednesday withdrew the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zartaj Gul.
Civil Judge Mubashir Hassan had initially issued the warrant after Gul repeatedly failed to appear in court for a case registered at the Barakahu police station. The court stated that despite multiple opportunities, she had not complied with summons.
However, after appearing before the court two hours later, the judge revoked the warrant, stating, “Since she is present in court, I am canceling her warrant.” The proceedings were then adjourned until March 12.
The case involves charges against Gul and other PTI leaders, while party founder Imran Khan and senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi have already been acquitted. The case is linked to PTI’s 2022 long march towards Islamabad following the removal of Khan’s government through a no-confidence vote.
During the Azadi March in May 2022, clashes erupted between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies in various cities. Security forces used tear gas to disperse protestors, while PTI workers broke through barriers at Lahore’s Batti Chowk and entered Islamabad’s Red Zone, leading to injuries among law enforcement personnel.
Khan ended the protest on May 26, giving the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government a six-day ultimatum to dissolve assemblies and announce elections. Later that year, PTI launched another long march from Lahore, demanding early elections, but it was halted after an attack on Khan in Wazirabad.
Since then, PTI leaders have faced multiple legal cases linked to vandalism and protests. Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and others remain in custody due to ongoing legal proceedings.
