ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Saturday formally indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur in an audio leak case, advancing long-pending proceedings that had been delayed due to his repeated absence.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasr Minallah Baloch presided over the hearing. Gandapur appeared before the court alongside his counsel, Advocate Raja Zahoorul Hassan, while co-accused Asad Farooq Khan was also present.
At the outset, the judge questioned Gandapur over his repeated failure to attend previous hearings, which had stalled formal indictment. In response, the former chief minister cited security concerns and road blockages, saying the prevailing law-and-order situation had made it difficult for him to travel. He also informed the court that his mobile phone had been seized during raids at his residence.
Judge Nasr acknowledged the explanation but reminded the accused that decisions regarding court appearances rest with the judiciary. He noted that the case had remained pending for a considerable time without formal charges being framed.
The defence counsel requested cancellation of Gandapur’s arrest warrants, arguing that since he had now appeared, the court had the authority to withdraw them. The judge accepted the request and suspended the warrants, while cautioning Gandapur to ensure future compliance with court orders. He advised that in case of unavoidable circumstances, a formal exemption application should be filed in advance.
Following the resolution of the warrant matter, the court terminated proceedings related to the publication of notices declaring Gandapur an absconder. The judge then read out the charges and formally indicted both Gandapur and his co-accused in the audio leak case.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned until April 6.
Earlier, on February 9, another Islamabad court had declared Gandapur a proclaimed offender in a separate liquor and arms recovery case due to his continued non-appearance. Arrest warrants have been issued against him multiple times in various proceedings over the past two years.