Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Imran

Court rejects PTI chief's request for absence, issues orders to ensure attendance on April 18

ISLAMABAD:

A District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has once again issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the April 18 hearing, while rejecting Imran’s request for an exemption from appearance of the case pertaining to intimidation of a female judge.

Imran has challenged the decision to issue a warrant, and the appeal will be heard in the session court on Thursday.

While arguing before the court, the lawyer said that Imran’s life is in danger.

Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi opposed the petition filed for exemption from Imran’s appearance in the court and argued that since the former premier is absent, the bailable warrant should be changed to a non-bailable warrant.

The prosecutor opposed the “excuse” of the Wazirabad attack.

The prosecutor further said in the court that Imran’s medical report was not submitted.

No concrete reasons were given for non-attendance, he said, adding that Imran’s request for exemption from attendance is not signed by him but only by his lawyers.

During the hearing, the prosecutor requested to dismiss the request for exemption from attendance and said that a non-bailable arrest warrant should be issued for him.

After hearing the arguments of the lawyers and the prosecutor, the judge reserved the decision on Imran’s request for an exception, which was then released after a while.

The court rejected Imran’s request for an exception and issued a non-bailable arrest warrant while ordering him to appear in court on April 18.

Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed an investigation into the cases registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan under terrorism provisions.

The court has instructed the police to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

The court, in its order to grant interim bail till April 6 on a bond of Rs50,000, has said that Imran should appear at every hearing till the decision on the bail application.

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb have issued a written order to grant interim bail to the PTI chief in seven cases registered under terrorism provisions for stone pelting, vandalism, arson, and injuring of police personnel outside the Judicial Complex.

In a written order, the court said that Imran should appear before the court at every hearing and be interrogated by the police till the decision on the bail application. The court said that as and when required, the former prime minister should join the investigation.

The court also issued a notice to the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Law and Justice, seeking a report over the withdrawal of security from the former prime minister.