ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial Thursday termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan’s arrest from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) as a “mighty disgrace” to the country’s judicial system.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah is presiding over the hearing of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Imran Khan had come to the IHC to request an extension of his interim bail, the former premier’s attorney Hamid Khan revealed to the court at the beginning of the session. Rangers men entered the room as the PTI chief was completing his check.
“Rangers misbehaved with Imran Khan and arrested him,” he added.
CJP Bandial then inquired in what cases Imran was appearing at the IHC to which the lawyer answered that the PTI chief was present for his biometrics when he was arrested.
“If 90 people enter a court’s room then what will happen to the court?” CJP questioned.
“No one can sabotage a person’s right to surrender in front of the court,” he added.
According to him, NAB officials should have taken permission to arrest from court’s registrar.
“Wanting justice is right of every citizen of Pakistan,” CJP replied.
“No one can be arrested from the high court, Supreme Court or accountability court. Imran Khan’s arrest violated the judicial sanctity,” he added.
The petition was filed on Wednesday following Imran’s arrest by NAB from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Earlier, the petition was returned due to a few objections but was accepted after PTI addressed the concerns.
