LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday withdrew non-bailable arrest warrants for former information minister and senior PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb after she appeared in a terror case registered against her last year.

The court had issued arrest warrants of Ms Aurangzeb for her failure to attend the previous hearing on Nov 25.

Ms Aurangzeb and former MNA Javed Latif, both nominated in the case, appeared before the court along with their lawyers.

Judge Abher Gul Khan cancelled the warrants of the former minister and adjourned hearing till Jan 6. He also sought arguments on acquittal applications of both leaders on the next hearing.

Earlier, in September, the court had rejected a police report seeking cancellation of the FIR against the PML-N leaders and summoned them.

The case was registered against Ms Aurangzeb and Mr Latif in Lahore on Sept 19, 2022, for allegedly ‘using religion to instill and spread hatred’ against PTI chief and former PM Imran Khan.

The FIR was filed by a prayer leader at a local mosque situated within the jurisdiction of Lahore’s Green Town police station.

The complainant alleged he came across a press conference of Mr Latif on Sept 14 in which he hurled disturbing accusations at Mr Khan in the name of religion.

The PTV managing director and controller programme had also been nominated in the case, as the complainant said the presser was shown on PTV.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2023