ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday barred the police from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took up the petition filed by Imran Khan who challenged the order of Islamabad’s district and session court that had issued the arrest warrant for the former prime minister.
The IHC said that the PTI chairman should be given a chance to appear before the court.
During the today’s hearing, the IHC chief justice inquired about the objections raised on the plea. Khawaja Haris, Imran Khan’s counsel, informed the court that the biometric verification issue had been resolved.
The chief justice said, “Everyone is equal before the law. You want to appear before the court and give assurance in this regard?.”
At this, Khawaja Haris requested the court to suspend the warrants so that the former prime minister could appear before the court.
The IHC chief justice warned the lawyer that there would be consequences if Imran Khan does not fulfil his promise. The court directed the police to not arrest Imran Khan. The court also ordered the administration and Islamabad police to provide security to the former prime minister.
Imran Khan also assured the court of his appearance before the Islamabad court tomorrow (Saturday).
Earlier, the Registrar Office of the IHC had raised objections to Imran Khan’s petition challenging his arrest warrants. Imran Khan’s biometric verification was not available, the office noted.
Later, the court decided to hear the Imran Khan’s petition with objections.
On Thursday, an Islamabad court turned down the Khan’s petition seeking the suspension of non-bailable arrest warrants. Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict.
The judge said that the decision had been taken after reviewing each and every aspect of the law.
