A Sessions Court in Islamabad has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, in connection with an arms and liquor recovery case, according to reports by ARY News. The case stems from an incident in 2016 when authorities claimed that weapons and liquor were found in Gandapur’s vehicle during a routine check.

During a recent court session, Gandapur had requested an exemption from appearing in court due to health concerns, but his plea was rejected by the judge. As a result, the court issued an arrest warrant, requiring Gandapur to be brought before the court. Judge Shaista Khan Kundi, who is presiding over the case, instructed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhara Kahu police station to arrest Gandapur and present him in court on September 5.

The court had earlier summoned Gandapur in connection with charges related to the possession of arms and liquor. As per ARY News, the District and Sessions Judge has listed nine specific questions that Gandapur needs to answer and has ordered him to appear in person to address these charges.

The original incident occurred on October 30, 2016, when police stopped Gandapur’s vehicle at a checkpoint on Rukhsana Bangash Road while he was on route to the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan in Bani Gala. According to the police, a cache of weapons and liquor was discovered in the vehicle. Items seized from the vehicle included four Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, a tear-gas gun, and bulletproof vests, which were later displayed at the Bhara Kahu police station.

The arrest warrant represents a significant development in the long-standing case, which has seen Gandapur summoned to court several times over the years to respond to the charges. Now, with a non-bailable warrant in place, Gandapur faces the possibility of being arrested and compelled to address the accusations before the court.

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