Imran Khan Summoned, Shibli Faraz Faces Arrest Warrant in Lahore Police Assault Case

LAHORE: On Friday, a Lahore court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz and summoned PTI founding chairman Imran Khan in a case linked to an alleged assault on Islamabad police personnel deployed outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence.

The FIR was registered at the Race Course police station in 2023, following violent clashes between PTI workers and police during a standoff at the former prime minister’s residence.

The deposed prime minister, who was ousted from power via the opposition’s no-confidence motion in April 2022, has been facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as premier.

Imran Khan has been behind bars since August 2023 after he was sentenced in multiple cases.

During the hearing at Lahore’s Cantt Kutchery today, the court issued a summon order for former prime minister Imran Khan through jail authorities, as he is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the further proceedings till July 30.

Today’s development follows recent anti-terrorism court rulings that handed down prison sentences of up to 10 years to senior PTI leaders in connection with the May 9, 2023, riots.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday sentenced several PTI leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, to 10 years in prison each in connection with the May 9 case.

The court also awarded sentences to former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and Afzal Azeem Pahat in the same case.

However, the court acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Hamza Azeem Pahat, Rana Tanveer, and Aizaz Rafiq in the case.

The same day ATC in Sargodha also sentenced Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and several other PTI workers to 10 years each in prison in a vandalism case related to May 9 riots.