Toshakhana case: Court summons Imran on March 30

Judge Zafar Iqbal will hear arguments on maintainability of the ECP complaint against the former prime minister

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on March 30 in the Toshakhana case.

Judge Zafar Iqbal issued the order stating that the court will hear arguments on the maintainability of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) complaint against the former prime minister.

Moreover, the controversy regarding the missing file was resolved by the judge himself, stating that the missing page of the order sheet is saved in a computer of the court.

On March 18, Judge Iqbal cancelled the arrest warrants issued against the former premier in the case and allowed him to leave Islamabad’s Judicial Complex after marking his attendance without being indicted because of clashes between police and party activists outside the premises.

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The hearing was adjourned till March 30 (Thursday) as the judge observed that the situation was not conducive for holding the hearing and appearance amid the turbulence and chaos outside the complex because of the intense fighting between the two sides.

Intense clashes broke out between the police and PTI activists as Imran’s convoy reached the judicial complex ahead of his appearance before the district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case.

The PTI chairman’s vehicle was stopped merely 100 metres from the gate of the judicial complex as the police blamed party activists for blocking the route, while the PTI claimed the law enforcers were restricting Imran’s movement.

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Despite the end of court hours, the PTI chief could not appear in front of the judge.

Judge Iqbal advised all those present outside the complex to disperse peacefully, without resorting to any form of violence including shelling or pelting stones after the marking of Imran’s attendance.