Court Frames Charges Against Gandapur in Audio Leak Case
APP
Islamabad: A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Saturday framed charges against former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and a co-accused in the audio leak case, while suspending previously issued arrest warrants.
The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasr Minallah Baloch. Gandapur appeared before the court along with his counsel, Raja Zahoor-ul-Hassan Advocate. Co-accused Asad Farooq Khan was also present.
The court formally framed charges against both accused and suspended the earlier arrest warrants issued against Gandapur. It also terminated the proclaimed offender proceedings after he appeared before the bench.
During the proceedings, the judge questioned Gandapur over his repeated absence from earlier hearings. The accused informed the court that security concerns had prevented him from attending previous sessions.
Judge Nasr Minallah Baloch observed that no conviction could be based solely on the prosecution’s request and noted that the case had been pending for a considerable period without charges being framed.
Defense counsel requested cancellation of the arrest warrants, arguing that the court had the authority to withdraw them once the accused appeared. Accepting the plea, the court cancelled the warrants and directed the accused to ensure regular attendance, advising that exemption applications be filed if appearance becomes difficult.
The hearing was adjourned until April 6.
ATC Adjourns Hearing in May 9 Cases Till March 14
A special court of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday adjourned proceedings in 11 cases related to the May 9 incidents until March 14 without conducting formal proceedings.
Former federal minister Shireen Mazari and other accused appeared before the court and were allowed to leave after marking their attendance.
Speaking briefly to media representatives outside the courtroom, Shireen Mazari said their appeals had been admitted for hearing, but no date had yet been fixed for suspension of sentence.
She stated that appeals could take years to conclude and expressed concern over the prolonged legal process.
