ISLAMABAD: The process for issuing red warrants for PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari has commenced, while an Anti-Terrorism Court of Islamabad issued perpetual arrest warrants for over a dozen other PTI stalwarts in a case related to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) in March this year.

According to a letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has approved the issuance of a red notice against Syed Zul­fikar Abbas, commonly known as Zulfi Bukhari, in connection with the judicial complex attack case, registered against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Golra police station.

“The FIA has been asked to carry out an in-depth scrutiny of the documents related to the case so as to gauge its legal and technical strength, before filing application for issuance of red notice with Interpol. It has been told to consult the relevant departments in case of any deficiency and make up for the same. FIA must send complete cases to the Interpol,” it reads.

A request is being made to the Secretary General of Interpol Secre­t­ariat in Lyon, France, to issue red notices against the suspect, allowing for his arrest through Interpol.

Zulfi Bukhari, the former SAPM to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, left the country and has been living abroad after the case was registered against him on March 18.

Perpetual warrants

On the other hand, the ATC of Islamabad on Wednesday issued perpetual warrants of arrest of more than a dozen leaders of PTI in the case related to violence outside the FJC during the appearance of former prime minister Imran Khan in Toshakhana case.

On March 18, at least 25 people were injured, 30 automobiles, including motorbikes, and a police chowki was set on fire during hours-long clashes between the police and supporters of the PTI in the federal capital.

The large crowd that descended on the FJC gathered on the PTI leadership’s call, which used social media to urge supporters to reach the judicial complex.

In response, up to 4,000 personnel, including 700 from the FC and 1,000 from the Punjab police, were deployed in and around the complex to maintain law and order and stop the gathering from reaching the complex.

Due to the violence, the judge sent a police official to service road outside the judicial complex to obtain Mr Khan’s signature, marking his mandatory attendance.

The First Information Report (FIR) registered against Mr Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Ali Nawaz Awan, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Amir Kiani, Asad Umer, Hammad Azhar, Amjad Khan Niazi, Shahzad Wasim, Asad Qaiser, Raja Khurram Nawaz, Farrukh Habib, Jamshaid Mughal, Omer Sultan, Hassan Khan Niazi, and retired Lt Col Mohammad Asim under the various sections of Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The ATC judge issued perpetual arrest warrants for them due to their non-appearance.

The court has already declared them proclaimed offender and directed the police for their arrest whenever and where ever they are found.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2023