A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday reserved a verdict in a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking the cancellation of his arrest warrants issued last week in the Toshakhana case over his persistent absences in the case hearings.
The same court had last week issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran after he decided not to turn up before the court while attending hearings of three other cases — prohibited funding, terrorism, and attempted murder — filed against him in other local courts located in proximity.
The PTI chief, through his counsel, had subsequently petitioned the court, arguing that the withdrawal of warrants would enable him “a fair opportunity to appear and defend himself” in the case.
The reference alleging that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana and proceeds from their reported sales was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded that the former premier had indeed made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts.
Later, the ECP approached the Islamabad sessions court with a copy of the reference, seeking proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal conducted a hearing into the case today.
PTI lawyers Qaisar Imam, Ali Bukhari, and Barrister Gohar appeared on behalf of the party head.
At the outset of the hearing, Bukhari told the court that his client wanted to be given a way to appear in court. He said the PTI chief had always implemented court orders, adding that the police could not detain him if he wished to appear before the court.
“You could have approached the Islamabad High Court for the cancellation of arrest warrants,” the judge asked the PTI counsel.
The lawyer responded that the legal team wanted to approach the sessions court for the cancellation of warrants.
After the arguments, the judge reserved the verdict to be announced later today.
Separately, Imran has also approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) for bail in three different cases pertaining to the Toshakhana reference, vandalism at the Islamabad judicial complex and violence outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
However, Dawn.com has learnt that the LHC registrar has raised objections on Imran’s plea, saying that complete documents had not been submitted along with the petitions.
On Sunday, an Islamabad police team arrived at his Zaman Park residence to arrest him for skipping proceedings in the Toshakhana case. However, it returned empty-handed after Imran evaded the arrest.
