'No adverse action, no arrest' without security: Imran seeks relief from court appearances

PTI chief requests LHC to ensure 'foolproof security' and allow court attendance via video link

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking 'foolproof security and permission to mark his attendance into court’s proceedings through video link'.

In a petition, the PTI Chairman expressed serious reservations over security measures in place as he requested the court to direct the concerned quarters not to take any adverse action against him nor arrest him until and unless proper security arrangements for court attendance and appearances could be guaranteed.

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Imran maintained that he had reasons to believe that he could "yet again be targeted during his exposure in the court hearings and appearances”, stressing in particular that his "popularity in the political arena" has left his opponents desperate enough to want to eliminate him altogether.

The petition also stated that "bogus cases" had been lodged against him and other PTI leaders as part of a "malicious campaign" of which, he maintained, the "November 3, 2022, pre-planned murderous assassination attempt" had also been a part.

"Despite serious apprehensions", read the petition, Imran "was not provided adequate security".

The PTI chief also stressed that he "has always emphasised the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law, [...] demonstrated utmost respect of the courts and despite registration of innumerable false and frivolous cases chose to not only join the inquiry and investigation but also regularly appeared before the court wherever his physical presence was necessary".

Imran claimed that he had been unable to attend "some hearings" because of the "inadequate and improper" security arrangements, adding that his political rivals were "deliberately exposing" him to potentially dangerous circumstances "so that he may fall prey to any attack that may be launched or directed towards him".

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Seeking strict action against the concerned authorities for failing to ensure his safety, Imran requested the court to allow him to be a part of court proceedings via video link.

The petition further sought “no adverse action and no arrest” until Imran is adequately facilitated and provided satisfactory security arrangements for court attendance and appearances.

It may be noted that the PTI chief presently faces charges of corruption in the Toshakhana case, in relation to which a lower court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants over his continuous non-appearance.

Earlier in the day, Imran Khan yet again refrained from appearing before the district and sessions court in Islamabad.

There, his lawyer claimed that Imran was unable to attend due to his injuries. Meanwhile, at Islamabad High Court Imran has filed a petition requesting a cancellation of the warrant.