SWABI: A local court has issued a notice to Shahram Khan Tarakai, former provincial education minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidate from NA-20 and PK-53, to either present himself to police or court within 30 days or legal unilateral action will be taken against him.

The court of judicial magistrate, Mohammed Khalil Khan, in the notice said that warrant 204 was issued and the accused, who was not complying with it, was still absconding and evading his lawful arrest.

He should appear at the local police station or court before 30 days or legal action would be taken against him, it added.

Shahram Khan has been underground after the incidents of May 9 last year while the court wants him to face the law of the land.

Shahram Tarakai in hiding since May 9 riots

It was not explained in the notice as to what were cases against the former minister. However, local leaders of PTI said that he was wanted in purchasing of different equipment for Gajju Khan Medical College and Bacha Khan Teaching Hospital Shahmansoor and purchase of furniture for public sector schools in the province.

He did not attend a single proceeding of the court.

Jehangir Khan Tarakai, brother of Shahram, has said that he will run campaign for his brother in his absence. “You (people) know that why Shahram Khan Tarakai is not among you but I hope he will very soon surface to run the campaign,” he said.

He said that they hoped that voters would support his brother once again and the tactics used against PTI leaders would not work.

ARREST: A man wanted in a case of terrorism by Islamabad police was arrested here on Tuesday, said District Police Officer Haroon Rashid Khan.

He said that Zakir, a resident of Salim Khan village, had been wanted by Islamabad police for 10 years. He was traced and arrested during a successful raid.

He along with other accomplices had allegedly fired at a police party during a protest in Islamabad on January 3, 2014. A policeman Iqbal Hussain was killed while another policeman Abdul Aziz was seriously injured in the firing.

An arrest warrant was issued against him by Islamabad sessions court.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024