Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) Imran Khan had finally appeared before the court on Saturday for the Toshakhana case hearing. Local news channel Geo TV reported that warrant for Khan’s arrest has been cancelled by the trial court in Islamabad as they noted Khan’s presence. According to local media, Khan was allowed to mark his presence from his vehicle by the judge as he was unable to enter the court room physically due to chaos around the judicial compound.
According to news outlets, Fawad Chaudhry, Former Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan and close aide of Khan told them that Khan’s presence had been noted officially by the court and Khan had left and head towards his home, Lahore.
Earlier while he was travelling to Islamabad, police reached his residence. Imran Khan tweeted that meanwhile Punjab Police have led an assault on his house in Zaman Park where his wife Bushra Begum is alone. He also questions the action saying under what law are they doing this and add also that this is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment. Pakistan Geo news reports that Punjab police has arrested more than 20 party workers.
Tweets from Imran Khan
While heading towards for hearing, Khan tweeted that it is now clear that, despite he having gotten bail in all his cases, the PDM govt intends to arrest him. Despite knowing their malafide intentions, he is proceeding to Islamabad & the court bec(because) he believes in rule of law. But ill intent of this cabal of crooks shd(should) be clear to all.”
Khan also tweeted that it is also obvious now that the entire siege of Lahore was not about ensuring he appear before the court in a case but was intended to take him away to prison so that he will unable to lead his election campaign.
Earlier on 14th March, the court granted protection against arrest as Khan assured that he would appear on Saturday. On the same day, clashes were reported between police officers and PTI workers as police were heading towards to arrest Khan on court’s instructions, Geo News reported.
On Friday, Pakistan based Dawn newspaper reported that the Pakistan government shifted the venue of Toshakhana case hearing to safer Judicial Complex from the additional sessions court citing security concern for Khan.
Hours before heading to Islamabad, news outlet reported that Khan has formed a committee to lead in case he is arrested.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Information Minister Amir Mir denied any involvement of the government regarding police action saying police were complying court orders. Regarding clashes between PTI workers and police, he said to news outlet that When police reached the PTI activists tried to stop them by pelting stones and baton attacks. In retaliation, police arrested many of them. They (Punjab Police) had already informed the PTI leadership (Imran Khan) about the evidence collection process. With Inputs from various news agencies. (Reuters, ANI, Firstpost)
