A district and sessions court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur after he repeatedly failed to appear before the court in a case related to the alleged recovery of liquor and illegal weapons.

The warrants were issued on Tuesday during proceedings presided over by Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti. The court directed authorities to arrest Gandapur and produce him before the bench after noting his continued absence despite multiple summons.

The case, registered at Bara Kahu Police Station, dates back to October 30, 2016, when police claimed to have intercepted Gandapur’s vehicle near Rukhsana Bangash Road while he was reportedly on his way to Imran Khan’s residence in Bani Gala.

According to police statements on record, a search of the car led to the recovery of several prohibited items, including automatic weapons and liquor. The seized items were later displayed at Bara Kahu Police Station and reportedly included four Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, a tear-gas firing gun, and bulletproof vests.

Law enforcement officials have maintained that the case involves violations of both arms control laws and restrictions on possession of alcoholic beverages, making it a serious criminal matter.

Court records show that Gandapur has been summoned multiple times over the years but has not attended the proceedings, prompting the court to escalate the matter through non-bailable warrants. The judge also adjourned the hearing until October 28, with instructions for the accused to be produced at the next appearance.

Legal observers say the issuance of non-bailable warrants signals the court’s intent to ensure compliance after years of procedural delay. The development also comes amid broader scrutiny of political leaders facing pending legal cases from earlier periods of political unrest.

Authorities will now be required to execute the warrants and bring Gandapur before the court to resume trial proceedings. The case continues to attract public interest given the seniority of the PTI leader and his former executive role in provincial government