Five-member LHC larger bench rejects Imran Khan’s request to stop his possible arrest & any possible operation at the Zaman Park during the eid holidays
Restrains authorities from harassing Imran Khan
Islamabad court issues bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan in female judge threatening case
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The five-member larger bench of Lahore High Court headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi on Tuesday restrained authorities from harassing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on a petition filed by him for early hearing of 121 cases registered against him. The court has rejected Imran Khan’s request to stop his possible arrest and any possible operation at the Zaman Park during the eid holidays.
The PTI Chairman Imran KHan had also sought order for police not to carry out any operation against him at Zaman Park during Eid holidays.
However, the top court of the province ruled that any operation under the laws could not be stopped. The court also rejected the plea for early hearing of the case while terming that the central petition is fixed for hearing on 2nd May so there is no need of holding early hearing on the petition. The court in its verdcit declared that in the ligth of the statement of Punjab government’s counsel, Imran Khan should be treated as per the law till the next hearing of the case.
The court adjourned hearing of the case till May 2. Earlier, the court had reserved its judgement. The PTI chairman had also requested bail in the 121 cases registered against him.
A five-member larger bench headed by the Chief Justice heard the petition of former Prime Minister Imran Khan against possible operation at Zaman Park and summons delivered to him.
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, submitted before the court that there were reports of police action in Zaman Park on Eid and if action took place, they would not be able to approach the court during the holidays.
The public prosecutor told the court that he had no information about any action. PTI Chairman Imran Khan came to the rostrum and told the court that in his opinion operation could be launched on Eid. He said they had done it before, when he went to appear in Islamabad, an operation was conducted at his house.
After hearing the arguments, the court reserved judgement. After hearing the arguments of Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar, the court sent the case to a larger bench.
Meanwhile a local court of Islamabad on Tuesday once again issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan in the case of threatening a woman judge.
The case of threatening the judge against former prime minister Imran Khan was heard at the District and Sessions Court. Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi appeared in court of Judicial Magistrate Malik Amaan during the hearing.
Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi, giving arguments in court, said Imran Khan had been summoned by the court in personal capacity and his request for exemption from attendance was not approved at the previous hearings. He pleaded the court that Imran’s request for exemption from attendance should not be approved.
Raja Rizwan Abbasi asked the court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan. He inquired whether the court would exhibit the same behaviour with any other accused. He said, “An appeal is always filed on behalf of Imran on the warrant, but he himself does not appear in court.”
The prosecutor requested the court to issue a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran. He also urged the court that Imran should submit surety bonds for bail. The court adjourned hearing of the case till arrival of Imran Khan’s lawyers.
After the break in the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyers Ali Bukhari and Faisal Chaudhry appeared in court. Faisal Chaudhry told the court that the issue of bail in other cases of Imran was pending with the Islamabad High Court.
Ali Bukhari said the Islamabad administration had issued a notification to shift the court in the Toshakhana case. The court had sought a response from the federal government regarding the withdrawal of Imran Khan’s security.
Faisal Chaudhry said Imran’s life was in danger and arrangements related to his security should be made.
The judge said Imran Khan’s pleas for exemption from attendance had been rejected twice. The court adjourned the hearing of the case of threatening the judge till May 25 and issued a bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan. The court directed that the arrest warrant should be handed over to Imran Khan at his Zaman Park residence. Judicial Magistrate Malik Amaan directed Imran to submit a surety bond of Rs20,000.