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An Islamabad court hearing the Toshakhana case against PTI chief Imran Khan has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for him over persistent absences.
Just hours before, he secured bail in two cases — prohibited funding and terrorism — as he appeared before as many courts at Islamabad’s judicial complex accompanied by a large number of party workers.
The PTI chief was required to appear in person in four different cases in Islamabad courts today. The foreign funding case was in a banking court and the terrorism case was in an anti-terrorism court located inside the judicial complex, while Toshakhana and attempted murder cases will be heard at a sessions court in F-8 Kachehri.
Imran was set to be indicted in the case today, but his lawyer requested the court that he be exempted from the hearing today because he had to appear in several other courts. His indictment was deferred twice before.
The hearing was adjourned to March 7.
Toshakhana
Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal presided over the hearing of the Toshakhana case at the F-8 Kacheri.
During the hearing, a member of the PTI’s legal team on Tuesday sought an exemption of Imran from an in-person appearance in the reference wherein his indictment is expected today.
PTI counsel Ali Bukhari said his client had left for Islamabad for his appearance in two courts in the judicial complex. “He will not be able to appear in this court today,” the lawyer said.
He requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days.
However, the ECP’s counsel opposed the request, saying the PTI chief did not want to appear before the court. “It is not the court’s concern how far the party head is travelling from to reach the court.”
He pointed out that Imran could also appear before this court if he was coming to the judicial complex.
The PTI lawyer said his client could come to the court when he was free of the other two cases within the judicial operational timings.
“He should also come here as indictment is pending. Once indicted, he can head to the other courts,” the judge responded.
The lawyer said: “Khawaja Haris is representing Imran in this particular case and he cannot come here today.”
The judge then called a recess in the hearing.
The ECP had in November 2022 approached the Islamabad sessions court with a copy of the Toshakhana reference, seeking proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister.
Terror case
Earlier, ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas approved Imran’s interim bail until March 9 in a case about violent protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The terrorism case was filed against Imran in Oct 2022 at Islamabad’s Sangjani Police Station after PTI workers took to the streets and held demonstrations outside ECP offices across the country after it disqualified the former prime minister in the Toshakhana reference.
Separately, the FIA had in October 2022 booked Imran and other PTI leaders in connection with their party allegedly receiving prohibited funding. The case was filed by the state through FIA’s Corporate Banking Circle in Islamabad. In September last year, the ECP had issued its verdict in the prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — against the PTI, which stated that the party did indeed receive prohibited funding.
Earlier, TV footage showed that the party workers forced their way into the complex and encircled Imran’s vehicle.
Prohibited funding
When the hearing of the prohibited funding case began, the prosecutor objected to the PTI chief’s absence and asked the court if similar concessions were given to general citizens as well.
Barrister Salman Safdar was representing Imran in the court, while and Rizwan Abbasi was the special prosecutor.
Safdar contended that arguments must be held in the presence of all parties as directed by the court earlier.
He said it was alleged that the PTI chief had been presenting a false report issued by his own hospital regarding his health. “He is a 71-year-old man and he is recuperating from his injuries gradually.”
The prosecution did not even ask for a delay in the arrest of the ex-PM on humanitarian grounds, Imran’s counsel objected.
The lawyer said his client was appearing before all courts as he had no issue [with appearing before courts] at all.
He argued that the case against Imran was filed on the basis of assumptions.
“Arif Masood Naqvi is the accused, but the FIA is unaware of him.” He pointed out that Naqvi had neither been arrested nor grilled in the case.
The prosecutor also opposed the defendant’s request for the confirmation of Imran’s bail. He said the PTI chief’s medical reports revealed he had swelling but no injuries.
Later, Judge Rakhshinda Shaheen confirmed bail to the PTI chief in the case.
Murder attempt charges
Likewise, PML-N MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha had lodged a complaint alleging that the shot fired by the KP policeman outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Constitution Avenue on Oct 21, 2022, was “an attempt on his life” allegedly at the behest of Imran.
The disqualification of Imran in the Toshakhana case had sparked protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, especially at Faizabad, resulting in the arrest of three people — a PTI lawmaker and his two police guards.
The clash between the protesters and police had started outside the Election Commission of Pakistan soon after the verdict disqualifying Imran Khan when the KP police guard of MNA Saleh Mohammad fired a gunshot.