58 absconding since May 9-10, 2023 events

PESHAWAR: Two years have passed since the protests on May 9 and 10, 2023, at least 58 accused are still absconding following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan and have not appeared before the courts.

Official sources said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Prosecution Department had released details of the cases being heard in Peshawar’s Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) related to the May 9-10 incidents.

As per the prosecution data, 42 accused were discharged while 146 acquitted by the courts due to lack of evidence.

Currently, they said that cases against 276 accused were under trial in various ATCs. These cases are registered in police stations, including Landikotal, Jamrud in Khyber district, Ghallanai in Mohmand, East Cantt Police Station, Faqirabad, Khan Raziq, Hayatabad and Counter Terrorism Police Department, Peshawar. Among these, trials are actively underway of several accused.

However, 58 accused are still at large and have been declared absconders by the ATC courts, which have issued non-bailable arrest warrants against them.

It may be noted that protests in response to Imran Khan’s arrest had spread across the province, including Peshawar, Mohmand and Khyber districts, during which public and private properties were damaged.

Consequently, hundreds of PTI leaders and activists, including several sitting members of the national and provincial assemblies from these districts, were named in the cases.

According to sources, two years later, these 58 accused individuals continue to evade arrest and court proceedings, with warrants still active against them.