A Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan in 14 protest-related cases and ordered his arrest and production before the court. Judge Amjad Ali Shah issued the order after the accused and his lawyer failed to appear during multiple hearings.

According to details, the cases pertain to the violent protests that erupted in Rawalpindi and Attock on November 24 and 26 last year.  The court stated that repeated absences of the accused and his defence team had hindered the judicial process, and subsequently issued orders for Omar Ayub’s arrest and production in the courtroom at the next hearing. 

Police had registered multiple FIRs against leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Omar Ayub - who is currently the party’s Secretary General and parliamentary leader.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)