ATC declares Imran, Qadri as absconders

Attempt to arrest PTI chief can create a law and order situation, fear policemen.

ISLAMABAD:

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri as proclaimed offenders in a case related to the attack on a senior police officer.

The Secretariat police had registered an FIR against the PTI and PAT for beating SSP Operations Asmatullah Junejo on September 1, when he was leading a police party deployed to protect state buildings in Red Zone. Junejo sustained serious injuries while trying to stop PTI and PAT workers from entering the Pak Secretariat.

ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi heard the case related to the attack on Junejo. During the proceedings, the prosecutor told the court that police have still not arrested Imran and Qadri. Moreover, the court was informed that non-bailable arrest warrants for both the leaders have also been issued by the same court in a case pertaining to the attack on Parliament House and PTV building during their sit-ins.



The Judge inquired that why the police failed to arrest the accused as they daily deliver speeches at D-chock in front of the Parliament House. The police replied that “it is feared that law and order situation will be created if they try to arrest Imran and other PTI leaders from the sit-in venue.” The court was also informed that Dr Qadri is not present in the country.

The police further added that those nominated in the FIR related to attack on the SSP are not cooperating with police during the course of investigation.

The ATC judge, while expressing annoyance over the failure of police for not arresting the accused leaders, declared Imran and Qadri as proclaimed offenders and ordered for the immediate arrest of the two party leaders. The court also directed to put an advertisement at the residence of both the leaders and other public places, showing them as absconders.

Meanwhile, the minister for information, broadcasting and national heritage, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, said it was the responsibility of police to implement the arrest warrants issued against PTI chairman.

Talking to the media outside the Parliament House, he hoped that PTI chief will appear in the courts as he himself preached about rule of law. He said Imran instigated the people through his speeches to attack PTV and other government institutions. “If Imran realises his mistakes, he would be welcomed back to the Parliament,” he added.



It is pertinent to mention that the same court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Dr Tahirul Qadri, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Khan Tareen, Asad Umar, Shaukat Yousafzai, Shafqat Mehmood and Arif Alvi and PAT leaders Rahiq Abbasi, Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali and others for carrying out attack on Parliament House and PTV building.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2014.