PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Thursday approved protective bail for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in connection with multiple cases registered against him.
The decision came during a hearing presided over by Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Farah Jamshaid. The court granted protective bail to the chief minister until September 23 and issued clear directives to law enforcement agencies not to arrest him in any of the ongoing cases until then. According to the Additional Advocate General, a total of eight cases have been registered against the chief minister within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, the Deputy Attorney General informed the court that 48 cases have been filed against Gandapur in Islamabad, while two separate inquiries are currently being conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress from key investigative bodies. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has yet to submit its report, and the Anti-Corruption Establishment has also failed to file its response, according to the Advocate General and Deputy Attorney General. The bench directed all relevant departments, including NAB and FIA, to submit complete case records and investigation details regarding the chief minister before the next hearing.
Meanwhile, in an informal conversation with reporters at the court premises, CM Gandapur commented on the recent Swat tragedy, assuring that “whoever is found responsible will be held accountable.” He emphasised that no one, regardless of their influence or position, would be spared. “Justice will be served across the board,” he stated. He also remarked on illegal riverfront constructions, saying, “Any construction done unlawfully along riverbanks under any government will be demolished.
Separately, during the same court proceedings, the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court expressed strong displeasure over the chief minister’s security team blocking journalists from entering the court premises. “What is the chief minister’s security doing inside the Peshawar High Court?” the Chief Justice questioned. He reminded the officials that the court has its internal security and journalists should not have been stopped from carrying out their professional duties.
The Chief Justice directed the Additional Advocate General to address the matter immediately and take appropriate action against those responsible for the obstruction. The incidents underscore rising tensions between provincial authorities and legal institutions, as pressure mounts over accountability and transparency in governance.
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