ISLAMABAD: District and Sessions judge Islamabad Zafar Iqbal on Tuesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants against former premier and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan over non-appearance in the Toshakhana case.
Imran Khan was to be indicted in the Toshakhana case on Tuesday after his indictment was deferred twice.
Judge Zafar Iqbal presided over the hearing of the Toshakhana case at the F-8 Kacheri. During the hearing, a member of the PTI’s legal team on Tuesday sought an exemption of Imran from an in-person appearance in the reference.
PTI counsel Syed Ali Muhammad Bukhari said his client had left for Islamabad for his appearance in two courts in the judicial complex. “He will not be able to appear in this court on Tuesday, ” the lawyer said.
He requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days. However, the ECP’s counsel opposed the request, saying the PTI chief did not want to appear before the court. “It is not the court’s concern how far the party head is travelling from to reach the court.”
He pointed out that Imran Khan could also appear before this court if he was coming to the judicial complex. The PTI lawyer said his client could come to the court when he was free of the other two cases within the judicial operational timings.
“He should also come here as indictment is pending. Once indicted, he can head to the other courts, ” the judge responded. The lawyer said: “Khawaja Haris Ahmed is representing Imran Khan in this particular case and he cannot come here this day.”
The judge then adjourned the hearing till 3: 30 PM. When the hearing was started again, the judge while rejecting the exemption plea issued the non-bailable arrest warrants of Imran Khan and adjourned the hearing to March 7. The court has directed the police to present Imran Khan on next hearing while arresting him.