ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Desperate to put him behind bars, a police from Islamabad helicoptered in to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in a ‘judge threatening case’. Reached Lahore through A non-bailable arrest warrant issued for not attending the hearing.
Imran did not appear in the case of threatening the judge and Tosha Khana. However, he took out a party rally in Lahore. Earlier, Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim issued a three-page protected judgment.
Rejecting Khan’s plea for immunity from personal appearance in the hearing of the case, the court ordered the police to produce the PTI chief before it by March 29. And each time requested immunity.
It was informed that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) also dismissed the non-appearance of the accused as irrelevant and ordered him to appear before the court on March 13.
The court observed that the plea of immunity from personal appearance was inappropriate, due to which the court is issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan. It said it would also send a notice to the respondents on March 29 in the PTI chief’s acquittal plea.
At the start of the hearing, the judge remarked that the court had summoned the accused to share copies of the case documents and that he would have to appear in person so that the trial could proceed.
A team of Islamabad police arrived to take Imran into custody as he prepared to lead a massive election rally. According to sources, the police said they would need enough backup to pick up Imran and take him to Islamabad.
The former prime minister once again walked out of the hearing. Instead, he filed an exemption from physical attendance before the judge, requesting permission to attend court proceedings virtually via video link.
Earlier, the sessions court had rejected the PTI chief’s plea saying that “non-bailable arrest warrants will be issued against Imran if he does not appear in court today (Monday).” After which the court adjourned the hearing till 12:30 pm and resumed. A case was registered against the PTI chief in Islamabad’s Margalla police station for making threatening remarks on Judge Zeba Chaudhry.
Sources told JEE News that Islamabad Police will go to Zaman Park on Tuesday to arrest Imran. Several decisions were taken during a meeting between police officials from Islamabad and Lahore – as law enforcement agencies descended on the city for the second time to arrest Imran.
Sources said that the participants of the meeting decided to extend full cooperation to the Islamabad Police and ensure that the capital’s policemen reach Imran’s Zaman Park residence without any hindrance.
The sources added that before the Islamabad police went to Zaman Park, they would contact Imran’s chief security officer. Also, another court in the federal capital ordered the police to arrest Imran again for his non-appearance in the Tosha Khana case.
During Monday’s hearing, Khan filed for immunity citing security risks and once again failed to appear in court.
Rejecting Imran Khan’s request for exemption from attendance, the court issued an order to arrest the PTI chief and produce him in court on March 18. The court remarked that it is the job of the police to bring Imran Khan to court.
In the evening, Imran addressed a public meeting some distance from Data Darbar and announced to hold a rally on Minar Pakistan on Sunday (March 19). will be exposed if the details of the foreign funding case come to light.
He said that no attention will be paid to the brutal murder of Zail Shah. Neither I will forget his murder nor this nation. I am giving this message on behalf of the nation that the policemen involved in this crime will not be spared, this is not my personal war, I am fighting for you. Sitting inside the car, he said: “My life is in danger but I will come out. No one risks his life for personal interests.” He further said that efforts were made to disqualify him from the election race. However, Allah Ta’ala is right and the details of the Toshana case have revealed everything. The details of the foreign funding case will expose PMLN and PPP as the nation will know how PTI raised money and how both of them are raising funds. Around 80 cases have been registered against him while his party members are also being targeted through prosecution and character assassination. Every effort has been made against it. He said that next Sunday, he will address a public meeting at Minar Pakistan, which will be his sixth meeting in the last 12 years.
