[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]LAHORE: Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and 150 party members have been named as defendants in a new lawsuit alleging that they prevented Islamabad police from carrying out a court order to arrest the former prime minister in the Toshakhana case.
The case was opened on Monday at the Race Course police station in response to a complaint made by Station House Officer (SHO) Nadeem Tahir, who also names Senator Shibli Faraz as Imran’s head of staff.
The news follows a dramatic day in which PTI members and the party chairman’s supporters blocked the Islamabad police from approaching his Lahore home in Zaman Park.
The police, however, were able to serve the notice on the PTI head, presenting it to his chief of staff for “compliance” with the arrest warrants issued by the federal capital’s sessions court in the Toshakhana case.
On March 1, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran in the Toshakhana case, only hours after the PTI head obtained bail in two other instances from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) and a banking court.
Imran was summoned before Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal. Due to his failure to appear in court, the judge denied his motion for exemption from personal attendance and issued arrest warrants.
On Sunday, a team of Islamabad police officers led by Superintendent of Police (SP) City Hussain Tahir arrived at Zaman Park to comply with the warrant. Senator Faraz allegedly told police that Imran was unavailable.
The police officers were welcomed by enraged PTI activists brandishing clubs and other objects at Imran’s apartment. The police encountered resistance as they attempted to enter Imran’s home.
PTI supporters also chanted Imran’s name till Faraz approached the team and spoke to them.
After seeing Faraz, the police squad lingered in the vicinity of Zaman Park for nearly an hour.
Senator Faraz received the warning and promised the police team that “all legal protocols” would be followed.
SP Then, Tahir told the media that Faraz had guaranteed them that Imran would appear in court.
Nevertheless, after failing to appear in court, a district and sessions court in Islamabad refused the PTI chairman’s appeal to revoke his non-bailable warrants in the Toshakhana case on Monday.
The erstwhile ruling party has decided to petition the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to vacate Imran’s jail warrants.
Also Read: Islamabad Police reaches Lahore to arrest Imran Khan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
