LHC order stopping police action extended till today

Court restrains PTI from holding Sunday's Minar-e-Pakistan rally

LAHORE:

 

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday announced that its order halting the operation at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore will remain in force till March 17 (today).

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh issued the written order and at the request of the lawyers of the parties, adjourned the hearing of the case till tomorrow.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the party had “100 per cent confirmed information” of an assassination attempt on PTI chief Imran Khan at the F-8 Katcheri in Islamabad where he skipped his hearing in the Toshakhana case.

Chaudhry made the revelation regarding the alleged security threat while the court took up his petition seeking to stop the “atrocities” outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore. The police have been trying to carry out a court-ordered arrest of the PTI chief, but have failed so far due to the stiff resistance PTI workers have mounted against them.

A day earlier, Justice Sheikh had restrained the police officials from continuing the Zaman Park operation till the decision of the Islamabad High Court on the non-bailable arrest warrant of the former prime minister and PTI chief.

The order by the LHC had come at a time when Islamabad Police, backed by Punjab Police and Rangers had resumed efforts— which began on Tuesday — to arrest the ex-premier in connection with the Toshkhana case. Imran has skipped indictment several times, which led to the judge issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for him.

However, they were met with strong resistance from PTI workers, who threw stones at them. The police responded with volleys of tear gas.

After an hours-long back and forth — described by international media as “pitched battles” — the personnel pulled back to Mall Road, from where they cleared out.

Meanwhile, the LHC restrained the PTI leadership from holding a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan citing the ongoing law and order situation

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh presided over the hearing and remarked that the current situation in the provincial capital had “tarnished the image of Pakistan across the world”.

Justice Sheikh also stated that the authorities should be conveyed at least 15 days prior if a rally procession is to be held in order to make proper security arrangements.

Meanwhile, the LHC judge also directed the PTI leadership to hold a meeting with Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar and the additional chief secretary to reach a consensus over their concerns that include “implementation of the former prime minister’s non-bailable arrest warrant, security plan and imposition of Section 144”.

The court was hearing different petitions including pleas seeking a 'safe way' for Imran to reach LHC, protective bails in different FIRs and to stop the “atrocities” of the police officials against the PTI chief, his political party and its leadership as well as the general public at Zaman Park.

As proceedings commenced today, Justice Sheikh inquired if the petitioner was present in court. To this, PTI counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique informed the court that he is on the way and will reach the court in a few minutes.

Irked at the remark, Justice Sheikh stated “this is how serious you people are, when this court fixed this matter for 10am then you should have reached on time”.
The judge observed that neither the petitioner nor the respondent sides are fully aware of the law, adding that how can both parties reach a solution until the law is read carefully?

“Solution is there but neither of the parties is serious to go through the books,” remarked the LHC judge.

Justice Sheikh then asked PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry what the security issue is.

To this, the PTI leader replied that security has become a serious issue, adding that “there is a hundred per cent threat to Imran at Islamabad's G-8 court and the concerned authorities had been conveyed about the same”.

Advocate General Punjab Shan Gull opposed the arguments placed by the petitioner’s counsel.

Moreover, the IGP Punjab said that the force deployed at Zaman Park was without weapons but they were badly attacked by the PTI workers and petrol bombs were thrown at them.

Anwar vowed that they are ready to sit with the PTI to address the issues as the police does not want any “no go area” in the provincial capital.

The LHC judge then adjourned proceedings till March 17.

Earlier this week, the former prime minister announced a power show at Miner-e-Pakistan on March 19 (Sunday).