[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad sessions court rejected Imran Khan’s exemption from attendance plea on Monday and reinstated his non-bailable arrest order in the Toshakhana criminal proceedings case.
Additional Meetings The verdict was issued by Judge Zafar Iqbal, who ordered the former Prime Minister to appear in court on March 18.
Earlier in the day, the court reserved its decision on the PTI chief’s appeal for exclusion from the Toshakhana criminal proceedings.
At the commencement of the proceedings, the former prime minister’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, submitted his arguments and informed the court that Imran has opted not to attend in the session court today owing to ‘security threats’.
Haris also objected to the criminal proceedings being acceptable and demanded that the complaint be dismissed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Haris raised legal concerns over the electoral watchdog’s allegation, claiming that the law was not followed when the complaint was sent against the PTI chairman.
Read More: Many exposed as Toshakhana details surface
He went on to say that several sections of the legislation are covered under the Election Act 2017, and that criminal action can be initiated within 120 days of the nomination form being submitted.
Haris then read the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) judgement, in which the court stated that the warrant for Imran was issued to secure his appearance.
“In order to achieve the standards of a fair trial, the court must first rule on admissibility,” he argued.
Following the conclusion of the arguments of the lawyers for the ousted premier, ECP’s lawyer Saad Hassan made his points.
Hassan insisted that the PTI chairman’s arrest warrant was still active, and that the IHC had rejected his appeal.
The counsel for the electoral authority noted that the IHC granted Imran some time to appear before the relevant court, and that the court only suspended the decision for a few days. He said that the warrant is still active until it is executed or the former prime minister appears in court.
Hassan went on to say that the IHC stated that if Imran does not present in court, the court will ‘look according to the law,’ which means that the court will also look into the question of admissibility.
Judge Zafar Iqbal then asked if the ECP needed additional time to consider if the application was allowed. Hassan said that he does require more time.
Haris then argued that because the individual who submitted the complaint was not authorised and lacked jurisdiction, the court should hear the issue today and rule on the petitions.
Imran’s counsel stated that if the ECP requests more time, how can the case progress until it is determined whether or not the case is admissible?
Judge Iqbal reserved his ruling on Imran’s motion for exemption from attendance after hearing the arguments.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
