Imran Khan’s lawyer receives PTI chief’s bailable arrest warrant at Zaman Park,
Lahore_The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi that sought to “halt expected police action” at their Zaman Park residence during the Eid ul Fitr holidays, The court also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 each on Bushra and her lawyer Azhar Siddique.
Punjab police had raided Khan’s Lahore residence last month after the former premier left for the Islamabad Judicial Complex for a hearing and arrested several party workers.
During the hearing of a separate case at the LHC earlier this week, Khan informed the court of his fears that another “operation” would be launched during the Eid ul Fitr holidays. Subsequently, the court directed police to not “harass” Khan.
Bushra’s petition, which was heard today, nominated the Ministry of Interior, inspector general Punjab police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as respondents. It stated that “reports” had been received that an operation would be conducted at Zaman Park during the Eid holidays.
It referred to the March operation and requested the court to stop police from conducting the reported operation during the holidays.
During the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh questioned what the court could do on the basis of “apprehensions”.
Referring to the LHC’s order to not “harass” Khan, the judge observed that a larger bench had already heard the matter.
“When a five-member bench has already issued an order, why did you file a similar petition again? You should not have done it,” he told Bushra’s counsel.
When Siddique argued that the earlier order was related to not harassing Khan, Judge Sheikh said the latest petition was similar to the matter that had already been heard.
“So much of the court’s time is wasted because of such petitions,” the judge remarked.
At this, Siddique offered to withdraw the petition.
Subsequently, the judge dismissed the petition and imposed fines on Bushra and her lawyer.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer on Thursday received bailable arrest warrant for the former prime minister at Zaman Park.
The arrest warrant of the PTI chairman was issued in case filed against him at Margalla Islamabad police station.
Imran alleges another police operation
Previously, Mr Khan alleged before the Lahore High Court that he had information of another operation being planned at his Zaman Park residence on Eid. “There is risk of bloodshed,” he claimed.
A two-member bench of the high court recommended that Imran Khan’s petition be placed before a larger bench against the registration of similar cases and disciplinary proceedings against him.
The bench comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Farooq Haider sent the file to the Lahore High Court chief justice.
The Punjab government counsel took the plea that Imran Khan’s application is not admissible, as a petition cannot be filed merely on the basis of apprehensions.
Addressing the court, Imran Khan said an order was issued barring police operation on his residence, but the next day an operation was started. “They committed contempt of court,” the PTI chief observed. He alleged that there was a risk of bloodshed.
The Punjab government’s lawyer told the court the plea says the petitioner should not be arrested, nor should an investigation be conducted or a case be registered against him.
The police’s powers to conduct investigations cannot be obstructed, the government’s counsel maintained. “I am requesting you to order the police to stop conducting operations at my residence,” asked Imran, adding the government is scared of losing elections.
The former premier alleged that the government did not just want to put him in jail, but wanted to eliminate him.
His lawyer said under the law, it is mandatory to state the reasons for the arrest. He added that it is not possible to face so many cases.
Advocate Salman Safdar said police is the complainant in all the cases against Imran Khan, adding police stations are being used for political point scoring. “The cases are being filed only on political grounds,” the lawyer argued.
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