The Azad Jammu & Kashmir Election Commission has issued an arrest warrant for Ali Amin Gandapur, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging his violation of the code of conduct during the 2021 elections.
A letter concerning Gandapur’s arrest, sent by the electoral body to the deputy commissioner of Dera Ismail Khan, indicates that he, Imran Khan’s nominee for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s position, must appear before the AJK Election Commission by February 28. The petition against Gandapur was filed by lawyer Raja Zulqarnain during the 2021 election.
Read more: Imran Khan names Ali Amin Gandapur the next CM KPK
The outspoken PTI figure was barred from participating in and addressing rallies at election-related events in AJK. This action was prompted by the commission’s discovery that Gandapur had made inflammatory remarks during his speeches at various public gatherings in AJK, in addition to announcing development packages worth billions of rupees.
According to the AJK Election Commission, this decision was made because the minister’s actions not only posed law and order challenges but also raised concerns about the potential loss of human life.
In the general elections held on February 8, Ali Amin Gandapur emerged victorious in NA-44, Dera Ismail Khan-I, and PK-113.
Read more: Imran Khan names Ali Amin Gandapur the next CM KPK
On February 13, Imran Khan nominated Gandapur as the PTI’s candidate for the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PTI secured a landslide victory in KP, clinching 84 seats in the elections.
“The chief minister of KP will be Ali Amin Gandapur,” stated the former prime minister during an interaction with journalists at Adiala jail, where he is currently detained on various charges.