“IHC reserves judgment in case challenging Imran Khan’s arrest in Al-Qadir Trust case”
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday reserved the verdict in the case of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest from the IHC premises. The decision will be announced soon, said the court.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case and reserved the verdict. Earlier, the IHC CJ summoned the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) director general and prosecutor following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan from the high court premises.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq summoned the officials within half an hour and put off the hearing of the case. Justice Farooq also took notice of Imran Khan’s arrest and summoned the IG Islamabad, the Secretary Interior, and the Additional Attorney General.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked why the interior secretary was absent and questioned the NAB’s impartiality. The additional attorney general argued that Imran Khan would have faced more resistance if he was arrested outside and that the NAB was an impartial institution. However, the Chief Justice emphasized that the Federal government could not escape its responsibilities and that the law was clear regarding arrests.
To read more: PTI gives shutdown call after Imran Khan’s arrest
The IGP Islamabad informed the court that the NAB had arrested Imran Khan, and he had an arrest warrant in his possession. However, Justice Aamer Farooq clarified that the NAB did not arrest Imran Khan directly and got help from security forces. Advocate Salman Safdar briefed the court that the PTI chief was manhandled before the law enforcement agencies arrested him. Barrister Gohar Ali also suffered the injuries during the incident, he added.
The chief justice expressed concern that the arrest was made in an attack on the high court, and the institution branch of the high court had been vandalized. He ordered the government to inform the court in what case Khan was arrested and who did it in the jurisdiction of the court.
The arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan from the high court premises has raised concerns about the impartiality of the National Accountability Bureau and the government’s responsibility to protect the institution of the high court. The court’s decision to summon the DG NAB and the Prosecutor General and question the government’s actions is an essential step towards accountability and justice.
To read more: Fawad Chaudhry alleges Imran Khan’s abduction from Court premises
