Islamabad (The COW News Digital)An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has reissued arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, PTI leader Junaid Akbar and other accused in a case related to the November 26 protest.
The development came during a hearing of the case on Wednesday, September 30, before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra. According to reports, the court directed police to submit the pending challan, or charge sheet, at the earliest and adjourned further proceedings until October 9.
The case was registered at Margalla Police Station in connection with the November 26 protest. The proceedings involve Sohail Afridi, Junaid Akbar and other PTI leaders and workers who have been named as accused in the case.
The court had previously maintained arrest warrants against Afridi and several other accused after they failed to appear before the court. In an earlier hearing, the court also rejected exemption applications submitted by some of the accused and directed police to complete the investigation and present the challan.
The latest hearing focused on the continued legal proceedings and the delay in submission of the police report. The court once again instructed the police to submit the challan without further delay.
Junaid Akbar and other PTI leaders are also facing proceedings in cases arising from the November 26 protest. Previous court proceedings have included arrest warrants and steps related to the possible declaration of some accused as proclaimed offenders.
The November 26 protest case stems from demonstrations involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters in Islamabad. Police registered cases against a number of PTI leaders and workers in connection with the events surrounding the protest.
The issuance or reissuance of an arrest warrant is a procedural step in criminal proceedings and does not itself establish the guilt of an accused. Any allegations against the accused remain subject to the ongoing judicial process.
The court has directed police to complete the required documentation and submit the challan so that proceedings in the case can move forward.
The latest order comes as legal cases involving PTI leaders continue before courts in Islamabad and other parts of the country. Sohail Afridi has been facing multiple cases linked to protests and related incidents, while Junaid Akbar and other party figures have also appeared in proceedings arising from the same period.
According to reports, the court will next hear the matter on October 9. Further proceedings are expected to determine the status of the investigation and the next legal steps against the accused.
The court’s directions underline the need for the investigating authorities to complete the challan and place the relevant material before the court. The accused will have the opportunity to contest the allegations through the legal process.
