In a significant development in the Sangjani rally case, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday ordered the passports of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul to be blocked.
Simultaneously, the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for PTI’s Information Secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram. The ATC directed authorities to report once the passport restrictions were implemented. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 3, 2025.
This move adds to the ongoing legal challenges faced by the former ruling party, whose founder, Imran Khan, along with senior leaders including Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Yasmin Rashid, remain in custody over alleged involvement in past incidents, including the May 9 riots.
The case relates to a PTI gathering held in September 2024, organized to demand Khan’s release from Rawalpindi Adiala Jail.
Previous Court Orders Ignored
Last month, the same ATC had already issued arrest warrants for Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, and Sheikh Waqas Akram. This action followed the leaders’ repeated failure to appear before the court. Despite these orders, none of the accused attended the hearings, prompting the current passport restrictions and arrest warrant issuance.
Islamabad High Court Issues Notices
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) intervened over a related matter concerning PTI’s Salman Akram Raja. He filed a contempt of court plea due to authorities failing to facilitate a meeting with Imran Khan.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued notices to the home secretary, the Adiala jail superintendent, and other relevant parties. The court emphasized the need for compliance, noting that the lack of cooperation hampers legal representation and due process.
During proceedings, the judge questioned why Khan’s meeting with his legal team had not occurred despite written court orders. The assistant attorney general confirmed that authorities had communicated the court’s directives and would reiterate the instructions.
The hearing concluded with the court issuing notices to all relevant parties and adjourning further proceedings.
PTI’s Legal Troubles Continue
The latest directives from the ATC and IHC reflect the intensifying legal scrutiny on PTI leadership. Experts note that these actions may further complicate the party’s organizational and legal operations. Observers are closely watching how these cases evolve, particularly amid heightened political tensions in Pakistan.
The combination of passport blocks, non-bailable warrants, and contempt proceedings illustrates the judiciary’s firm stance on enforcing compliance and accountability.
