Islamabad (Web Desk): A district and sessions court on Tuesday suspended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan's arrest warrant issued against him in a case in connection with his remarks regarding threats to female judge till March 16.
On Monday, a district and sessions court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the PTI chief for skipping the court appearance in a case regarding threats to Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry at an August 20 public rally in the federal capital.
Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim announced the reserved verdict while issuing notices to the parties for arguments in the acquittal petition.
Dismissing Khan's petition seeking exemption from hearing the case in person, the court ordered the police to produce the PTI chief before it by March 29.
The judge also said that the court will hear arguments on Imran’s petition seeking to be dismissed from the case in the next proceedings.
However, the former prime minister filed a petition in the court challenging the arrest warrant.
His petition was heard by additional sessions judge Faizan Haider Gillani.
Former premier's legal team, comprising lawyers Naeem Haider Panjotha and Intezar Haider Panjotha, apeared in the court.
Intizar maintaining that the provisions imposed on Imran were bailable. The judge then questioned if bailable arrest warrants were issued before. The lawyer told the court that no bailable arrest warrant was issued.
The court directed Imran’s lawyers to fix the documents presented by them, with the judge stating that he could not comprehend the documents.
Khan's lawyer stated that his client is the former prime minister and it was the responsibility of the government to provide security, however, the incumbent government has withdrawn security.
The judge inquired if there was a letter stating that security was removed from Imran, to which the counsel said that they could present the letter to the court. The judge then instructed Imran’s lawyers to submit the relevant letters by Wednesday.
The lawyer for the incumbent government said the PTI chairman was also summoned in the Toshakhana case. The judge remarked that Imran's election campaign had begun, to which Naeem replied that Imran had appeared at the judicial complex.
The judge maintained that the PTI leader had appeared at the judicial complex but failed to appear in the courtroom.
He asked the PTI lawyer about the party’s work towards legal reforms, stating that Imran was ready to appear before the court via video link but there was no focus on “legal reforms”.
The court stated that Imran had to appear before the court so he could be provided with a copy of the case, highlighting that copies of the case were provided to the accused in their personal capacity and not to anyone else.
The PTI's lawyer requested that the court give a date for March 21, as there was a petition for a video-link appearance before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The judge replied that the lawyer was aware of what was to happen with the video-link request and that maybe he 'should give two months to the former premier'.
Imran’s lawyer replied that the former premier could not appear in court tomorrow due to personal engagements and requested the court provide a date for the day after tomorrow.
The court issued a notice to the parties and adjourned the hearing till March 16.
The case against the former prime minister was registered on August 20, 2022 with the Margalla Police Station in the federal capital over his remarks at a rally in F9 Park where he warned Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and high ranking police officials of dire consequences, as well as the judiciary for what he had called its “biased” attitude towards his party.
The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged hours before another Islamabad police station received a written complaint from a resident of G-11/2 for lodging a case against Imran over making hate-speeches, and inciting rebellion against the army, police and judiciary.
The FIR was registered less than an hour after Imran Khan addressed party workers and supporters at a rally in Islamabad’s F-9 park to express solidarity with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested on sedition charges on August 9, 2022.
