All eyes on police as ATC issues arrest warrants for Khadim Rizvi, others

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ISLAMABAD: A day after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) ordered the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and other absconding suspects in a case pertaining to Faizabad sit-in held last year, the ATC on Tuesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the fiery cleric in another case related to violence, including an attack on a police check post during the sit-in.

Workers of the religious party had protested against the government at Faizabad Interchange of Islamabad for around three weeks in November last year, bringing the capital to a standstill.

The religious party had protested against an amendment in the Elections Act, 2017, which was later reversed by the government, and ended its protest after an agreement was reached with the government, which included the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid.

The warrants were issued in relation to three cases registered against the religious party leaders at Khanna Pul Police Station.

The court ordered the police to arrest the accused and present them in court. Rizvi, Maulana Inayatullah, Ziaullah Khairi and Shaikh Azhar are wanted to the police.

The cases include charges of terrorism, attacking police and obstructing government officials.

On Monday, the ATC in another case ordered the arrest of Rizvi and Qadri, directing concerned authorities to present religious groups’ leaders in court on April 4.

On March 5, the ATC had declared Rizvi, Qadri, Maulana Inayat and Sheikh Izhar as absconders in the case for failing to appear before the court after repeated summons.

The ATC also stated that if the accused were not produced in court within the next 30 days, they would be declared proclaimed offenders.