Imran fails to appear before Jinnah House attack case JIT
The Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), which was set afire by supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan during a protest against his arrest, in Lahore, on May 9, 2023. PHOTO: Reuters/FILE
There is a possibility that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan can be arrested, police sources said, citing his failure to appear before a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the May 9 Jinnah House vandalism case.
The notices had been issued to five suspects, including the PTI chief and his wife Bushra Bibi, to appear before the Lahore deputy inspector general (investigation) on Wednesday at 7pm.
The JIT had directed Civil Lines and Model Town superintendents of police to ensure the presence of all the accused.
Other suspects include PTI leaders Hammad Azhar and Murad Saeed, and Imran’s nephew Hassaan Niazi.
The summons directed the accused to appear for investigation in a case registered at the Sarwar Road police station on May 10 under provisions of murder, attempted murder, vandalism, arson and terrorism.
Read more: Imran skips JIT’s Jinnah House attack probe
According to the notices, the suspects are “required to attend the office of DIG/Investigation, Lahore Abbot Road, Qila Gujjar Singh, Lahore on June 21 at 7pm to join the investigation proceedings entrusted to the JIT by the Punjab government”.
Following the issuance of summons, security in and outside the investigation headquarters was tightened up.
The police sources maintained that there was a possibility of the PTI chief’s arrest if he did not appear before the JIT within the stipulated time as the anti-terrorism court (ATC) had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him in two cases.
It was reported that Imran and his wife would not be able to appear before the JIT on Wednesday, the notice was received a little before 8pm at the PTI chairman’s Zaman Park residence.
Earlier in the day, Imran was granted protective bail in three cases pertaining to the May 9 violence and the murder of a senior Supreme Court lawyer in Quetta.
BHC to hear treason case on July 25
Meanwhile on Wednesday, the Balochistan High Court (BHC) issued summons against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on a petition seeking registration of a treason case against him.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Amir Rana also issued a notice to the federal government in this regard.
The court fixed July 25 – after summer vacations – as the next date of hearing of the case.
Slain senior lawyer, Abdul Razzaq Shar, had submitted a petition in the BHC seeking registration of a treason case against the former prime minister for dissolving the assemblies and violating articles six and five of the Constitution.
Amanullah Kanrani Advocate, the counsel for the slain lawyer and the former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, appeared before the bench and sought registration of the treason case against Imran.
Shar was killed in a firing incident on Airport Road, Quetta on June 6. The son of the slain lawyer, Siraj Ahmed Advocate, nominated the former premier in the murder case of his father.
“The notice is being served through the Lahore police on former prime minister Imran Khan,” a senior police officer said, giving no further details. He requested anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media.