Magistrate summoned in mutiny case against Imran

Counsel says case against PTI chief politically motivated

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday served notices on respondents asking them to appear at the next hearing while hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan against a mutiny case filed against him.

The former prime minister has moved the IHC seeking to quash the FIR registered against him at the Ramna Police Station in the federal capital on the allegations of inciting rebellion in state institutions.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case and summoned the police and the plaintiff - a district magistrate - to appear before the court in a personal capacity at the next hearing.

During the hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel Faisal Chaudhary Advocate requested the court to stop the implementation of the FIR till the next hearing.

The court remarked that a notice has been issued and a decision will be taken in this regard after receiving the reply.

Faisal Chaudhry Advocate said that he wanted to discuss the matter of jurisdiction as the case was filed in Islamabad on a matter that took place in Lahore.

He said that an incident takes place in Karachi while the cases are registered elsewhere.

Upon this, the court served notices on respondents and adjourned the hearing.

The registrar's office had objected to Imran Khan's plea stating why bail was not obtained before the plea was filed to dismiss the case. The second objection was related to Imran Khan's power of attorney. However, both objections have already been dismissed.

Previously on Tuesday, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq conducted a hearing on the administrative objections raised by the registrar's office on Imran Khan’s plea.

The petition, filed by the PTI chief’s legal team, contended that the incumbent government had lodged the case against Khan for political reasons and to tarnish his reputation.

According to the petition, the government has failed to find an iota of corruption against the former PM therefore, it is now dragging him into frivolous cases to blackmail him.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2023.