The Anti-Terrorism Court has issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed in connection with the May 9 riots case.
The decision came after the court rejected Javed’s request for exemption from appearance, citing delays in the trial due to her absence.
Sanam Javed, a prominent PTI activist, has been embroiled in legal challenges following the May 9 violence in Gujranwala.
The court’s latest decision intensifies the scrutiny on Javed, as the trial now moves forward with the expectation of her presence at the next hearing.
In addition to Javed, former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Rubina Jamil and Ayesha Ali Bhutta also had their requests for exemption from appearance denied.
However, unlike Javed, they were spared arrest warrants after appearing in court.
This legal development follows the Punjab government’s recent move to approach the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict that acquitted Sanam Javed in the same case.
The Punjab government has argued that sufficient evidence exists to implicate Javed in the Gujranwala riots on May 9, 2023.
The LHC had earlier acquitted Javed on July 10, with a bench comprising Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, leading to her release.
In parallel, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently ordered the release of Sanam Javed after a series of arrests and re-arrests.
The IHC, led by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzaib, also restrained law enforcement agencies from arresting Javed in any other cases until July 16.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes remain on the next steps in this high-profile case.
The PTI activist’s legal journey reflects the broader tensions surrounding the events of May 9 and their aftermath, with significant implications for those involved.
