Trial court rejects PTI chief’s exemption plea in Toshakhana case
Again upholds non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran: Summons him on March 18: Orders SHO to arrest PTI chief with the help of any department
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A trial court in Islamabad has rejected a petition filed by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan seeking court exemption in the Toshakhana case and again upheld its non-bailable arrest warrants issued against him earlier, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal announced the reserved verdict in the case.
The judge ordered to present Imran Khan before the court on March 18.
The judge ruled that it was the job of the SHO to arrest Imran with the assistance of whatever department, if need be, to bring him before the court.
Earlier, a district court in Islamabad reserved its verdict on a petition filed by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan requesting court exemption in the Toshakhana case.
The court said that it would announce the verdict on Imran’s exemption plea and its maintainability at 3:15pm today.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan did not appear before the trial court of Islamabad on Monday in the Toshakhana case.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan seeking criminal proceedings against the former premier in Toshakhana reference.
The court has summoned Imran for his indictment in the case.
Imran’s lawyer Khawaja Haris and ECP lawyer Saad Hassan appeared before the court.
Haris filed an application seeking exemption of his client from court appearance from today’s hearing on medical and security grounds.
Imran’s lawyer said that it should be decided whether the case is admissible before issuing an arrest warrant, adding that legal requirements were not taken into account while filing a complaint against the PTI chief.
He argued that the Election Commission did not file a complaint against Imran Khan but the district election commissioner did.
He went on to say that the Election Commission could file a complaint against the former premier and there was no need for an affidavit when lodging a complaint. He further pointed out that the complainant had different signatures on the affidavit and the statement.
Haris said that a complaint against corrupt practice and criminal proceedings could have been lodged within 120 days as per the law but in this case, it was filed after three years.
ECP lawyer Saad Hassan argued that the main debate revolves around Imran’s arrest warrant.
He said if the court deems that the complaint is non-maintainable then there is no issue whatsoever.
Hassan said that the Islamabad High Court suspension of the warrant expired today, adding that the high court had directed Imran to appear before the court today.
Meanwhile, Imran’s counsel stated that there is no reason to take criminal action against the former PM.
It is to be noted that Judge Iqbal has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran for continuously skipping court hearings as the court was set to indict him in the case on Feb 28. But his lawyer had pleaded with the judge that he be exempted from the hearing because he had to appear in several other courts. His indictment was deferred twice before.
The additional sessions judge adjourned the hearing till March 7.
On March 5, complying with court summons, an Islamabad police team reached Lahore to arrest Imran. However, it returned empty-handed after the PTI chief dodged the police.
On March 7, the Islamabad High Court suspended the PTI chief’s non-bailable arrest warrants and directed him to appear before the district court on March 13 (today).
Reporters Ehtisham Kiyani and Saud Butt