ATC allows Imran’s arrest in Jinnah House rioting

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has granted permission for the arrest and investigation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in relation to the vandalism incident on May 9 at Lahore Corps Commander’s House, commonly known as Jinnah House.

This decision follows countrywide protests triggered by Imran Khan's arrest by paramilitary Rangers on May 9 from the Islamabad High Court premises in connection with a corruption case.

Judge Ijaz Buttar issued this order in response to a petition filed by the Lahore police investigation chief. The police stated the necessity to probe and apprehend the former prime minister for his alleged involvement in the Jinnah House arson case.

Police sources said that an investigation team would be sent to Attock Jail to investigate the PTI chairman. The team would submit its report to the court, they added.

Imran is currently lodged in the Attock District Jail after his conviction in the Toshakhana case. The sources said that for the time being Imran’s arrest in the case would be kept on hold.

The proceedings pertained to the registration of a case at the Sarwar Road Police station.

Read also: PTI chief accuses IHC CJ of 'deep, settled bias'

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the Supreme Court bench, hearing the PTI chairman’s appeal against his nomination in the murder case of a lawyer had been changed and a new bench would take up the matter on Thursday (today).

The three-member special bench, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, will include Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Mandokhel. Previously, the appeal was heard by a three-member bench led by Justice Yahya Afridi

Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued instructions to the authorities at the Attock District Jail to allow senior lawyers Babar Awan and Latif Khosa to meet with the PTI chairman.

An IHC bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and including Justice Tariq Jahangiri, issued a written order on the appeal against the conviction of the PTI chairman and suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana criminal case.

The court also accepted the request of the lawyers of the PTI chairman for allowing their meeting with their client in jail. The court had already sought arguments on the case on Thursday (today).