An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday has issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in connection with the Judicial Complex attack case.
The court has directed authorities to arrest him and produce him before the bench at the next hearing.
During the proceedings, the court accepted exemption pleas from appearance filed by senior PTI leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Asad Umar, and Shibli Faraz.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra presided over the hearing and adjourned the case till October 6.
The case stems from violent clashes that erupted outside the Judicial Complex Islamabad in March 2023, when PTI workers and leaders had gathered in large numbers to support Imran Khan during his court appearances.
The protests led to scuffles with police, stone-pelting, and damage to property.
Following the incident, several cases were registered against PTI leaders and workers, including under anti-terrorism provisions, at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Islamabad.
The issuance of arrest warrants against Asad Qaiser adds to the ongoing legal troubles faced by senior PTI figures since the ouster of Imran Khan’s government in April 2022.
Many PTI leaders, including Imran Khan himself, have been facing multiple cases ranging from terrorism charges to corruption references.
