Arrest warrant for newly elected MNA issued

An arrest warrant has been issued for the newly elected member of the National Assembly (MNA) Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz in the Azadi March case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and others. Judicial Magistrate Shaista Khan Kundi heard the case. On May 25, 2022, the PTI kicked off its long march after Imran was ousted as the prime minister through a no-confidence motion against him and workers from different cities of the country reached the federal capital. Imran called off the long march on May 26 for fear that the situation was getting violent, as several cases were registered against him and his party for turning violent and clashing with the law enforcement agencies. The government had attempted to prevent the convoy led by Imran from reaching the capital by shutting down all entry and exit points around the city, but was forced to allow in the protesters by an emergency Supreme Court order. On May 26, the PTI founder ended the rally, warning the government to stage fresh elections or face more mass protests. Read also: Legal matters: PTI’s strategy on ‘polls rigging’ flawed During the hearing, the non-bailable arrest warrants of Asad Umar and Ali Nawaz Awan were cancelled after they surrendered to the court. Umar and Awan appeared before the court along with their lawyers. Nawaz's non-bailable arrest warrant was issued for not appearing in court despite the summons, while the request of Umar and Awan to surrender to the court and cancel the warrant was approved. Separate petitions for acquittal were filed on behalf of Umar and Awan. The court, seeking arguments on the petitions for acquittal, adjourned further hearing till Feb 26.