SARGODHA: An anti-terrorism court in Sargodha has issued arrest warrants for 57 individuals, including several key leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in connection with the May 9 riots, ARY News reported.
Among those named in the warrants are Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, former MNA Rana Bilal Ijaz, and sitting MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha.
According to PTI’s legal counsel, Jawad Mazhar Dhon, the witness testimonies in the case — registered at the Sargodha City Police Station — have been completed. However, none of the accused appeared in court for final arguments, prompting the judge to issue arrest warrants for all named individuals. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until the next day, with further proceedings still pending.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has lifted a stay order halting the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) probe into alleged rigging in the NA-18 Haripur constituency, which was won by Omar Ayub.
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Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar issued a written directive disposing of Omar Ayub’s petition. The court instructed the ECP to hear all concerned parties and conclude the matter according to the law.
Omar Ayub had earlier challenged the ECP’s July 10 decision to investigate rigging allegations in the constituency. The initial stay had been granted by former Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, who had also sought responses from the ECP, the NA-18 Returning Officer, the District Returning Officer, and Babar Nawaz Khan.