Islamabad Court Schedules Hearing in Illegal Arms and Alcohol Case Against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister
The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has set September 4th as the date for recording the statement of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, under Section 342 in the illegal arms and alcohol recovery case. Judge Shaista Kundi remarked that if there is nothing against Ali Amin Gandapur, he should be brave and record his statement under Section 342.
During the hearing at the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad, the case against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was heard by Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi. Ali Amin Gandapur’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan, appeared before the court.
Judge Shaista Kundi noted that Ali Amin Gandapur was supposed to record his statement today. He has been given five opportunities to record his statement under Section 342, but he sought exemptions from appearance each time. Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan argued that the case against Ali Amin Gandapur dates back to 2016, and questioned why the prosecution is now rushing the process.
Judge Shaista Kundi stated that the case against Ali Amin Gandapur is at its final stage. While the Chief Minister may be busy, the court also has its duties. The court requested a sworn statement indicating when Ali Amin Gandapur would appear before the court. Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan requested the date of September 4th, assuring that Ali Amin Gandapur would appear in court. He explained that Ali Amin Gandapur was currently attending a Jirga in District Kurram and urged the court to consider his client’s role in the case.
Judge Shaista Kundi remarked that if there is nothing against your client, then be brave and record the statement under Section 342. Subsequently, the court scheduled the recording of Ali Amin Gandapur’s statement for September 4th, stating that due to the affidavit provided, non-bailable warrants would not be issued.
The local Islamabad court adjourned the hearing until September 4th. At the previous hearing, the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad had also accepted the request for an exemption from appearance by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur in the illegal arms and alcohol recovery case.
It is noteworthy that in October 2016, Islamabad police claimed to have recovered five Kalashnikov assault rifles, a pistol, six magazines, a bulletproof jacket, alcohol, and three tear gas canisters from the vehicle of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader outside Bani Gala. The PTI leader dismissed these claims, asserting that he was traveling with two licensed Kalashnikov rifles and that the licenses were present in the vehicle. He also claimed that the bottle allegedly containing alcohol was actually honey, which the police officers confiscated.
