ISLAMABAD: Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Shahzad Gondal on Friday initiated proceedings to declare PTI leader Aamir Mughal as a fugitive after his repeated failure to appear in court.

The PTI leader is facing charges related to interference in governmental affairs and issuing threats, in a case registered at the Ramna police station.

Despite being summoned, Mr Mughal failed to show up for Friday’s hearing, prompting the magistrate to express serious displeasure. The court adjourned the proceedings until June 21.

In a separate case, the magistrate slapped a Rs5,000 fine on PTI workers as their counsel failed to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses during a hearing.

The cases registered under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act at the Ramna police station stem from November 26 incidents.

The magistrate directed the defence to complete cross-examination in the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court heard a plea filed by former provincial minister and PTI leader Raja Rashid Hafeez, who sought removal of his name from the travel ban list. Acting Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfaraz Dogar presided over the hearing.

Mr Hafeez’s counsel, Advocate Sardar Shahbaz informed the court that his client found his passport blocked without any explanation while applying for its renewal. The court ordered the director general immigration to decide on the application within 30 days and submit a report.

The IHC also addressed a parole petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on behalf of the jailed PTI founder. The application filed in the context of regional tensions with India seeks parole for security reasons.

The acting chief justice noted in a written order issued on May 14 that new facts had emerged requiring further legal assistance. The registrar’s office had earlier raised procedural objections to the petition, which remain unresolved. The hearing has been adjourned.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025