Supreme Court bars LEAs from arresting PTI chairman in lawyer murder case

Imran Khan moves IHC to seek restraining order in recent cases,

Islamabad_ Imran Khan on Monday got another relief as Supreme Court (SC) restricted the police from arresting the former prime minister till August 9 in the case of senior lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar’s murder in Quetta.

The deposed prime minister, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote last April, has a petition subjudice in the SC against his nomination in the case related to Shar’s shooting in Quetta in June.

Advocate Shar was gunned down by unidentified people on three motorcycles while he was on his way to the Balochistan High Court (BHC) on June 6.

A first information report (FIR) had been registered against Khan, and others on the complaint of the slain lawyer’s son, Advocate Siraj Ahmed, in Quetta, under the charges of murder, Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other provisions.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Ataullah Tarar held the PTI chairman “directly responsible” for the murder, claiming that the targeted killing was related to a treason case against Imran under Article 6 of the Constitution, which Shar was pleading.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Mussarat Hilali directed Khan to appear before the court on August 9.

At the outset of the proceedings, the PTI chief appeared before the court as directed by the bench on the last hearing.

While,

PTI Chairman Imran Khan made a significant move on Monday by approaching the Islamabad High Court to seek access to the details of cases filed against him in the past 30 days.

In the petition submitted to the court, Imran Khan requested the issuance of a restraining order to prevent his arrest in any new cases. He urged that in the event of any new case being filed, his arrest should be withheld until the relevant forum has been properly referred.

The petition listed the Home Secretary, IG Islamabad, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as parties involved in the legal proceeding.

The development comes as Imran Khan is scheduled to appear before the FIA tomorrow in connection with the cypher controversy.

Notably, the petition also highlighted statements and tweets made by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, which have been included as evidence.

Rana Sanaullah had expressed apprehension regarding Imran Khan’s potential arrest related to the cypher controversy.