[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]The Lahore High Court extended on Friday the ban on police action in Zaman Park until 3pm while PTI supporters continued to stand watch outside party chairman Imran Khan’s home.
Imran is hiding out at his Zaman Park home with hundreds of supporters and has been defying arrest in the Toshakhana case while beset by legal complications. During the past three days, these supporters have engaged in “pitched skirmishes” with the police and Rangers.
The ex-house premier’s was visited by the Islamabad police on Tuesday to carry out non-bailable arrest warrants issued by an Islamabad sessions court for him in the Toshakhana reference, in which he has missed multiple hearings. They were accompanied by their Punjab Police colleagues and the Rangers.
Read More: PTI gets permission to hold rallies in Lahore today.
A day earlier, an Islamabad sessions court — where PTI had gone for the suspension of Imran’s arrest warrants — upheld the warrants that it issued, observing that the PTI chief had “challenged the dignity and writ of the state”.
It also maintained its order to arrest the ex-premier and present him in court by March 18.
On Friday, Dawn.com’s correspondent present outside Zaman Park said that police were not present in the vicinity, but hordes of PTI supporters outside Imran’s house were armed with sticks and stones, prepared for any police operation.
Simultaneously, the LHC resumed hearing the petition — filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry — regarding the police operation outside Imran’s residence.
The court previously twice stopped the police operation outside Imran’s residence and instructed the Punjab police and PTI to sit together and resolve the matter after consultation.
Ahead of the hearing today, Chaudhry tweeted that both parties have “agreed to resolve the issues” and the agreed solution will be presented in court today.
He also informed the court that a protective bail request for the party leader had been made.
The judge then clarified that there were actually two distinct issues. He asked how his court could hear the case, pointing out that one was being tried in the Islamabad High Court and the other in a trial court.
He said, “We ask that the police not detain our employees,” addressing the IG.
No matter their allegiance, the court said, individuals who committed “injustice” had to be punished in accordance with the law. The faces of individuals who commit misconduct can be clearly recognised because there are cameras all over the place, Justice Sheikh continued.
The PTI lawyer told the judge: “We want our client to visit you for the hearing of his plea.”
“It is possible that the case may not be assigned to me,” the judge responded.
The provincial police chief told the court that the PTI had agreed to nominate a focal person, adding the police also told them that no area would be allowed to be turned into a “no-go” zone.
The judge asked the PTI leader to follow proper legal procedures if their legitimate demands were not met.
The IGP requested the court to issue directions on how to execute search warrants.
The advocate general of Punjab informed the court that the police did not have access to Zaman Park to carry out legal formalities.
Chaudhry argued that the police were seeking permission to arrest people. “They [law enforcers] have filed one FIR against 2,500 people,” he said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
