ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday rejected an acquittal application filed by PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan in the Faizabad protest case.

Several PTI leaders, including former federal minister Aamir Mehmood Kayani, Rashid Hafeez and Jamshed Mughal, appeared in the court of ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra.

However, Javed Khan, Haider Bin Masood and Raja Majid submitted exemption applications for nonappearance.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was once again absent from the proceedings. His counsel requested the court to reiterate the previous order regarding his client`s non-appearance.

Judge Sipra, however, responded that a formal application must first be submitted before the court could con-sider any relief.

During the proceedings, two prosecution witnesses appeared before the court. The judge directed that their statements would be recorded at the next hearing, after which the defence would have the opportunity to crossexamine them.

The court confronted Aamir Mehmood Kayani over his status as a proclaimed offender.

`You have been declared an absconder three times. If the police hear you speak loudly, you will be arrested,` said the judge.

Kayani admitted his fault, stating, `Sir, it is my mistake. I admit it, prompting the judge to advise him to file a formal application for any further consideration.

The case, registered at the police station I-9, involves several PTI leaders and workers accused of participating in unlawful protests. The court adjourned the hearing until July 31.Arrest warrant for KP chief minister A court in the capital rejected the exemption from appearance application of the KP chief minister and reissued his arrest warrant in the alleged liquour and illegal weapons recovery case.

Despite repeated summons, Gandapur failed to appear in the court of Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hassan Chishti on Monday.

His legal team was also absent during the initial proceedings, prompting the judge to express displeasure, noting that no representative appeared despite multiple case calls.

The judge gave a final opportunity to Gandapur directing him to record his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code by 2:30pm, warning that failure to comply would result in the forfeiture of his right to make a statement.

Following a brief recess, Gandapur`s counsel Advocate Raja ZahoorulHassan appeared in court and submitted an application seeking exemption from attendance, citing the chief minister`s engagements related to the ongoing Senate elections.

However, the judge reminded that the date for recording the statement had been fixed with Gandapur`s own consent and that he had personally assured the court of his appearance.

Although the defence counsel gave an undertaking that Gandapur would appear at the next hearing and record his statement, the court remained unconvinced.

Judge Chishti reiterated that the opportunity had already been granted multiple times. Subsequently, the court rejected the exemption request and issued an arrest warrant for Gandapur, ordering that he be taken into custody and produced before the court. The hearing was adjourned until July 22.