The Peshawar High Court has granted protective bail to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, allowing him until November 5 to appear before the relevant courts.
The decision comes in the wake of a non-bailable arrest warrant issued by a subordinate court in Islamabad concerning ongoing legal proceedings against him.
In its written order, the Peshawar High Court stated that Gandapur had voluntarily surrendered before the court, thereby permitting the bail request in part.
The court directed federal and provincial law enforcement agencies to refrain from arresting Gandapur in connection with the pending cases.
The court's decision follows claims made by Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, who alleged that Gandapur had been arrested, a statement that has been officially denied.
Reports indicated that Ayub's claims led to heightened tensions, prompting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to announce a protest at D Chowk in Islamabad. Despite these developments, officials confirmed that Gandapur had not been taken into custody.
On Saturday, a judicial magistrate at a subordinate court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Gandapur due to his failure to appear in court regarding charges related to illegal arms and liquor.
The court had mandated that he be arrested and produced by October 12. Following the issuance of the warrant, a heavy presence of police and Rangers was noted outside KP House in Islamabad, where Gandapur was reportedly located.
Barrister Saif, an advisor to Gandapur, reiterated that the Chief Minister was not formally arrested, stating that any such action would constitute contempt of court, undermining the electoral mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He stressed that Gandapur remains on bail until October 25, and any attempt to arrest him would be a serious breach of legal protocol.
