Ex-PTI MPA arrested over no-show at May 9 cases’ hearing

Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Adeel Ahmed Khan was arrested on Thursday after an anti-terrorism court turned down his application seeking withdrawal of non-bailabale warrants issued against him over his absence in three cases pertaining to the May 9 violence.

The former lawmaker, along with Sindh PTI president Haleem Adil Shaikh, Raja Azhar and several other party leaders and workers, had been booked in three cases pertaining to violent protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.

As the cases came up for hearing before the ATC-XV judge, Adeel turned up and filed an application requesting the judge to condone his absence in the previous hearing and recall the order regarding cancellation of his interim bail.

However, the judge dismissed his plea and ordered his arrest. He was subsequently taken into custody and remanded to prison. During the previous hearing that took place on June 25, the judge had recalled Adeel’s interim pre-arrest bail over his absence and issued a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.

The three cases have been lodged at the Tipu Sultan, Ferozabad, and Shah Faisal Colony police stations.

The cases have been registered under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 153 (inciting to riot), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 337 A (shajjah), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), and 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) read with the Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The hearing of the case was put off until August 5.