Hammad Azhar among 7 PTI leaders declared proclaimed offenders in May 9 case

Lahore (Dunya News) - An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has declared seven PTI leaders, including former federal minister Hammad Azhar and Zubair Khan Niazi, as proclaimed offenders in the Club Chowk GOR Gate attack case.

During the hearing, ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul issued perpetual arrest warrants for the absconding leaders, including Hammad Azhar, Zubair Khan Niazi, and five other accused: Akbar Khan, Masood Ahmed Subhani, Arsalan bin Basharat, Farooq Anjum, and Habib Ahmed. These warrants mean that the court has officially recognized the accused as deliberately avoiding the judicial process and has ordered their arrest without a fixed date.

The prosecution informed the court that the accused were repeatedly given opportunities to appear but failed to comply with court summons, and have since remained in hiding due to fear of arrest. This status makes them legally accountable as proclaimed offenders, and their trial will proceed at a later stage once they are apprehended.

The case was originally registered at Race Course Police Station, and it is notable that some accused in the case have already been sentenced to imprisonment. The ongoing legal proceedings reflect the seriousness with which the ATC is handling the matter, ensuring that all involved parties are held accountable according to the law.

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The declaration of proclaimed offenders is a significant step in the judicial process, as it allows law enforcement agencies to take legal action to apprehend the absconding individuals and ensures that justice can continue for the crimes associated with the Club Chowk GOR Gate attack.