An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital on Monday warned that it would declare Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other suspects as “absconder” over their failure to appear before the court.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra made the remarks during the hearing of two cases lodged against Pakistan Tehreek Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and other party leaders regarding alleged vandalism and violation of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) at Sangjani and I-9 police stations in the federal capital.
During the hearing today, PTI leaders Faisal Javed Khan, Ali Nawaz Awan, Wasiq Qayyum, Aamer Kiani and other suspects appeared before the court whereas KP CM Gandapur and PTI leader Amir Mughal filed exemption pleas.
Reacting to the request for exemption from appearance, Judge Supra said that it was not a valid reason to argue that one can’t appear before the court because he’s out of the city.
“Who’s responsible for the failure to appear, the suspects or the court?” the judge questioned adding that no request for exemption of appearance from anyone will be entertained.