May 9 riots: ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for 47 accused

PESHAWAR: A local Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 47 accused involved in last year’s mayhem on May 9.

Issuing the non-bailable arrest warrants, the ATC also ordered the station house officer of Khan Raziq Shaheed police to produce the nominated 47 accused on the next hearing. Over 84 PTI leaders, including provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, lawmakers Sher Ali Arbab and Muhammad Asif appeared in the court when hearing in case No. 433 started. However, 47 accused were absent.

Upon this, the judge issued non-bailable arrest warrants and also ordered the Khan Raziq Shaheed Police Station SHO to produce the nominated 47 accused at the next hearing on March 21.

Dozens of cases ranging from terrorism to corruption were registered against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and activists for allegedly attacking police stations and other public properties during protest demonstrations against the arrest of ousted former minister Imran Khan.

The Khan Raziq Shaheed Police Station had registered cases against 131 accused, former minister, lawmakers, local government representatives and PTI activists for ransacking private and public properties and violating law of the land.