ISLAMABAD: A local district and session court on Monday rejected petition of PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking arrest warrant cancellation.
Also read: Islamabad Police reach Lahore to arrest Imran Khan in Toshakhana case
The former prime minister had filed an application in the court this morning seeking the cancellation of a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him in the Toshakhana criminal proceedings case. The case is related to a private complaint filed against Khan under the Election Act.
During the preliminary hearing, Khan’s lawyers, Ali Bukhari, and Qaiser Imam argued that their client was currently residing in Zaman Park in Lahore, and they need to be informed about the appropriate way for him to appear in court.
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They also stated that Khan has always implemented court decisions and that non-bailable arrest warrants have never been issued on such applications in the past.
They said that the police could not arrest the petitioner if he was ready to appear before the court.
However, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal remarked that the former premier’s counsels had already stated on February 28 that their client would not appear in court.
The judge suggested that they could approach the Islamabad High Court for the cancellation of the warrant.
Also read: Imran Khan’s bail pleas at LHC: Registrar raises objections
Khan’s lawyers, on the other hand, expressed their desire to approach the sessions court for warrant cancellation.
The court reserved the verdict at around 11:15 am Monday morning, which was announced hours later, rejecting the plea. The court upheld the arrest warrants, and instructed Khan to appear in person tomorrow.
PTI’S REACTION:
Senior leader of PTI Fawad Chaudhry while commenting on the session court’s judgement, declare it ‘legally incorrect’, and said that the same would be challenged in Islamabad High Court.
اسلام آباد سیشن کورٹ کا عمران خان کے وارنٹ برقرار رکھنے کا فیصلہ قانونی طور پر درست نہیں ہے، فیصلے کے خلاف اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ سے رجوع کر رہے ہیں
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 6, 2023
