By ABDULLAH 
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued an arrest warrant for senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in the Judicial Complex attack case. The order, passed by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, directs law enforcement to arrest Qaiser and present him before the court at the next hearing, scheduled for October 6, 2025.
This development adds to the mounting legal troubles faced by several PTI leaders since the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government in 2022.
The hearing took place at the ATC court Islamabad, where Judge Tahir Abbas Supra presided over the proceedings. While issuing the arrest warrant against Asad Qaiser, the court granted exemption from personal appearance to senior PTI leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Asad Umar, and Shibli Faraz.
Advocates Sardar Muhammad Razzaq, Sardar Muhammad Masroor Khan, and Amna Ali appeared on behalf of the PTI leaders. The court also noted that a response from the Ministry of Law regarding the legal status of PTI’s founder is still pending.
The case, registered at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station, relates to violent protests and alleged attacks on the Judicial Complex in Islamabad in March 2023.
The case stems from a highly volatile day when PTI supporters clashed with law enforcement while accompanying Imran Khan for his court appearance at the Judicial Complex. Police reports described stone-pelting, scuffles, and property damage, leading to the registration of multiple FIRs under terrorism provisions.
Since then, dozens of PTI leaders and workers have been named in similar cases, reflecting the state’s tough stance on political protests that escalate into violence.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Asad Qaiser has faced serious charges. Earlier this year, a lower court in Islamabad acquitted him in the 2022 Azadi March case, which was also registered at Kohsar Police Station.
Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah had approved Qaiser’s acquittal, agreeing with his legal team’s argument that the charges were politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence.
This acquittal was seen as a rare legal relief for PTI leaders, many of whom remain entangled in cases across ATC courts in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar.
The ATC court Rawalpindi and ATC court Peshawar are also hearing multiple cases against PTI leaders linked to protests and political demonstrations.
Legal experts note that these cases, spread across different jurisdictions, show the coordinated legal pressure on PTI. While Qaiser’s arrest warrant is the latest headline, several other PTI figures face charges ranging from terrorism to corruption.
The PTI leadership has consistently maintained that the cases are politically motivated, arguing that they are designed to weaken the party’s ability to contest upcoming elections.
The issuance of an arrest warrant against a former Speaker of the National Assembly highlights the unprecedented legal challenges facing PTI. It also underscores the critical role of ATC judges in shaping Pakistan’s political and legal landscape.
Observers say the October 6 hearing will be closely watched, as it may set the tone for how aggressively the state continues to pursue PTI leaders in the run-up to the next political cycle.
- ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra issued an arrest warrant for PTI leader Asad Qaiser in the Judicial Complex attack case.
- The case is registered at the CTD police station Islamabad and will resume on October 6, 2025.
- PTI leaders Pervaiz Elahi, Asad Umar, and Shibli Faraz were granted exemption from appearance.
- Qaiser was earlier acquitted in the 2022 Azadi March case, but faces fresh legal trouble now.
- Multiple ATC courts in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar are handling cases against PTI leaders, fueling debates on political victimization.
The arrest warrant against Asad Qaiser is the latest episode in PTI’s turbulent political journey since 2022. With hearings now stretching into October, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Qaiser faces detention or manages to secure relief a decision that could influence PTI’s overall political strategy in the months ahead.