An anti-terrorism court (ATC) issued non-bailable arrest warrant on Saturday against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in a case registered against her for allegedly abetting party leader Javed Latif in spreading religious hate against former prime minister Imran Khan, and declare him non-Muslim on TV talk shows. Meanwhile, the ATC judge, Abher Gul, opted to cancel the non-bailable arrest warrant issued against PML-N leader Javed Latif after he appeared before the court. The issuance of the warrants came after the political leaders’ initial failure to appear in court. The judge set December 9 as the deadline for the implementation of the NBWs, and asked the prosecution to respond to Latif’s acquittal application. According to case details, the concerned police had submitted a report seeking cancellation of the FIR, which the ATC judge had rejected. The judge instead summoned the accused before the court. The accused’s counsel, Syed Farhad Ali Shah, had filed an application, requesting the court to acquit the accused persons in this “false and concocted FIR”. Two other accused in this case – employees of Pakistan Television (PTV) – had obtained a stay from the Islamabad High Court. In the last proceedings, Javed Latif could not appear before the court owing to the demise of his brother, whereas Maariyum was tied up in engagements at the arrival of the thee-time former premier, and PML-N supremo, Nawaz Sharif. But the applications submitted on their behalf seeking exemption from personal appearance before the court were dismissed as a result of which non-bailable arrest warrants were issued. On Saturday, the ATC judge cancelled the warrant against Latif, after he appeared before the court. But re-issued an NBW against Marriyum for still not appearing before the ATC judge. Shah, in Maariyum’s acquittal plea, had implored the court that the petitioner had nothing to do with the role attributed to her in the FIR. He contended in the application that she had been implicated in a forged case, merely to humiliate her, despite not having to do anything with these charges. Addressing the media, the PML-N leader denied ever delivering hate speech, emphasising that the case against them was a response to “positive criticism” directed at PTI chief Imran Khan. He welcomed the accountability initiative within institutions, underscoring that the nation was faced with significant challenges due to the decisions made by certain individuals. A complainant, Irshad-ur-Rehman, lodged an FIR at the Green Town police sation on September 19, 2022 under different sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). He contended that the PTI chief was known worldwide for his social work, such as making studying the Holy Quran compulsory in schools all over Pakistan; constituting the Rehmat-ul-il Alameen Authority. He added that the former premier was the first in the country’s history to present the true picture of Islam, by taking a strong stance before the United Nation Office (UNO) General Assembly. Rehman added that on September 14, 2022 he along with his friend was watching TV, where accused Javed Latif hiding facts declared Imran Khan as non-Muslim and facilitator of non-Muslims. Accused Javed Latif made this propaganda following his party’s political agenda, the complainant stated, adding that the PML-N leader played the religious card to disgrace and dent the popularity of Imran. “He did this on the consultation of Marriyum Aurangzeb and others to create hate amongst public and followers of PTI,” the FIR maintained. The complainant also nominated PTV officials for fully supporting the accused in this offence.