Police ordered to arrest accused for skipping hearing

PESHAWAR: An anti-terrorism court here on Wednesday directed the police to arrest the three persons, who were nominated in a case of vandalism in connection with May 9, 2023 mayhem, as they did not appear before the court.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Mohammad Iqbal issued the order during the hearing of the case when the accused identified as Abdul Rahman, Abdul Jabbar Bahgi and Luft Ali did not appear before the court in connection with the hearing of the case registered against them.

The court ordered the police to arrest the three accused and produce them at the next hearing into the case. According to the prosecution, the three accused had staged a protest near Bala Hisar Fort in Peshawar on May 9, 2023 against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. They were booked in a case on the charges of damaging government properties during the protest.

The officials at the Khan Raziq Police Station had registered the case against the accused. The court was told that around 27 workers and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, including Arbab Sher Ali, Mohammad Asif, Fazal Elahi, Meena Khan, Kamran Bangash, Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Mahmood Jan, were nominated in the FIR.The court adjourned the hearing until October 19.