Attack on state institutions: Arrest warrants issued for Imran, Qadri

I am standing here at D-Chowk, come and get me, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: An anti terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday issued a non- bailable arrest warrants of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and others for attacking Pakistan Television (PTV) building and Parliament during their sit-ins.

ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zadi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for PAT and PTI leadership in response to two separate First Information Report (FIRs) registered by Secretariat police against Imran, Qadri, Qureshi, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, PTI leader Saifullah Niazi, PAT president Dr Raheeq Abbasi, Asad Umar and others for attacking Pakistan Television Corporation’s (PTV) headquarters and Parliament on August 31 and September 1.

Three protesters were killed while hundreds of protesters and police personnel were injured during the clashes which started on the eve of August 31.

The FIR had been registered on the complainant of Station House Officer (SHO) Secretariat Inspector Mehboob Ahmed. The complainant’s application alleged that protesters had attacked government building after they snatched weapons from police. The case is pending before the ATC where police had sought the physical custody of the accused.

A senior police official told The Express Tribune that they will arrest the accused and will produce them before the court. The official added that Qadri is likely to land at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore on November 16 from where he will be arrested. According to the official the main trial is pending in the court and police will submit challan after arresting the accused.

Soon after the court’s order, addressing the sit-in protesters, PTI chief said he welcomes the court’s order. I am standing here at D-Chowk, come and get me, said Imran.

He also claimed that none of the PTI workers and supporters were involved in violence evoked at any time during sit-in.

ISF, Youth & all PTI wings in Isb/Rwp must coordinate even more strongly and form a multilayered security chain around Khan sb's container.

— Adil Ansari (@AnsariAdil) November 12, 2014

Govt has totally lost it! & they r merely hastening their own downfall. Arrest warrants will not stop IK & PTI from going forward for Insaf!

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 12, 2014

Heard the good news that arrest warrants have been issued for IK , SMQ ,myself and some other leaders. They are welcome to come and get me:)

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 12, 2014