ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and three other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in a case registered at Ramna Police Station.

The warrants were issued against Afridi, Meena Khan, Shahid Khattak and Shafi Jan.

The Anti-Terrorism Court directed the Ramna Police Station house officer (SHO) to arrest the accused and produce them before the court.

The development comes as PTI steps up preparations for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad scheduled for September 27, which Afridi has announced he will lead.

The four leaders have remained active in PTI’s recent mobilisation efforts.

In August, Afridi was accompanied by Meena Khan, Shafi Jan and Shahid Khattak during efforts to mobilise supporters from Islamabad for the planned September 27 protest.

The three leaders had also participated in PTI demonstrations and attempted to reach Adiala jail to meet party founder Imran Khan.

Meena Khan, Shahid Khattak and Shafi Jan were among PTI leaders who joined a sit-in outside the jail after party leaders were denied access to Khan.

Other cases against Afridi, PTI leaders

The latest warrants come amid several legal cases involving Afridi and other PTI leaders in Islamabad.

On Wednesday, an Islamabad ATC maintained arrest warrants for Afridi, Junaid Akbar and other accused in a separate case related to the November 26 PTI protest.

The court rejected exemption applications submitted by accused who failed to appear before it and directed police to submit the challan. The hearing was adjourned until September 30.

The November 26 case was registered at Margalla Police Station and relates to allegations of violence and arson during the PTI protest.

According to police records cited in court reports, several FIRs have been registered against Afridi at different police stations in Islamabad.

The court has also initiated proceedings to declare Afridi and other absent accused proclaimed offenders.

The latest proceedings concern a separate case registered at Ramna Police Station, while the warrants maintained on Wednesday relate to the November 26 protest case registered at Margalla Police Station.

PTI steps up preparations for September 27 protest

The legal proceedings come as PTI has intensified preparations for its September 27 protest and long march towards Islamabad.

Afridi has publicly announced that he will lead the mobilisation, while PTI has described the planned protest as a movement for the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law and the release of Imran Khan.

The Islamabad High Court is separately hearing a petition challenging the planned protest.

On September 10, the IHC heard a petition filed by Islamabad citizen Waqas Ahmed, who argued that the planned demonstration could disrupt routine life, traffic and business activities in the capital.

The petition also raised concerns over the possible use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government resources and machinery for the planned mobilisation.

The IHC postponed further proceedings after the initial hearing.

The petition is being heard separately from the criminal proceedings against Afridi and the other PTI leaders.