An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) has issued bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in three cases related to violence that took place outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) and the Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier this year.
In early March, Imran Khan was booked by the Ramna police in two cases, accusing him of leading mobs to the FJC and the IHC during his court hearings. He was also booked in a separate case by the Golra police station for causing unrest outside the FJC in the Toshakhana case.
During the recent hearing, Imran’s legal team requested an exemption for their client, citing his appearance in the Lahore High Court on the same day. However, the ATC judge, Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, stated that Imran must appear in court.
Imran’s counsel, Advocate Sardar Masroof, informed the court that his client had prior commitments in Lahore, preventing him from coming to Islamabad.
As a result, the court issued bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, as well as for PTI leaders Farrukh Habib, Senator Shibli Faraz, and Imran’s nephew Hassaan Niazi, all accused of attacking the FJC. The court adjourned the hearing until July 19, summoning Imran Khan and the other suspects to appear in person on that day.
The cases against Imran Khan and 28 other PTI leaders and activists were filed after a mob of party supporters broke into the FJC and the IHC on March 1. They were accused of vandalism and threatening officials on duty. A total of 29 people, including officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and private guards, were arrested in connection with the violence.
On March 19, clashes between the police and supporters of Imran Khan resulted in at least 25 injuries and damage to 30 vehicles. The violence erupted as Khan arrived at the FJC for a hearing in the Toshakhana corruption case.
In another development, a district and sessions court in Islamabad exempted Imran Khan from appearing in person in the Toshakhana case. The Toshakhana reference, sent to the trial court by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), seeks criminal proceedings against Imran Khan for concealing details of state gifts.
During the hearing, the court approved Imran’s plea to be exempted from appearing, but warned that future exemptions would not be granted. The case was scheduled for Saturday (July 15) but was later postponed to Monday (July 17) upon the request of the ECP to present their arguments.
In a separate case, an Islamabad accountability court extended the interim bail for Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Al Qadir Trust case until July 19. The case alleges that Imran Khan and his wife obtained billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town Ltd for legalizing Rs50 billion that was returned to Pakistan by the UK during the previous PTI government.
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Judge Muhammad Bashir presided over the hearing, and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor General, Sardar Muzaffar, appeared in court. Imran’s legal team requested an exemption from personal appearance, which was granted by the judge. The court set the date for the final arguments on July 19 and extended the interim bail until then.
These developments highlight the ongoing legal challenges faced by Imran Khan and the PTI leadership in relation to violence outside the courts and corruption allegations. The court proceedings will determine the future course of action and the potential impact on Imran Khan’s political career.
