Imran again evades court appearance in Toshakhana case

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Tuesday refrained from appearing before an Islamabad district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case against him due to his injuries. The former premier’s counsel Sher Afzal Marwat appeared before the court and stated that Imran was unwell and “disabled” after his leg was shot at in the Wazirabad attack. He added that a global “spectacle” was created regarding Imran. Marwat maintained that he would provide the power of attorney within “a day or two” and that Imran’s legal team was currently at the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The lawyer requested that the court give a date for next week for hearing the matter. Read Sanaullah vows to ‘present Imran before courts’ The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) counsel requested that the hearing be adjourned to March 9, to which Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha said that Imran had to appear before the IHC on that date. “Imran Khan will definitely appear in Islamabad High Court on March 9,” Ranjha reiterated. The ousted premier's lawyer stated that he was told that it would be easier for the PTI chief to appear before the district court next week. Judge Zafar Iqbal remarked that “in other words, Imran Khan will not appear before the session court even on March 9”. Taking the rostrum, Ranjha stated that action should be taken according to law, questioning if a common citizen was also given such relief from appearing before a court. He added that on behalf of Imran, a continuous exemption application was filed, and the exemption was also granted. The court maintained that the case would be processed according to the law. Read More Imran strikes conciliatory tone The ECP lawyer said that Thursday should be the deadline for submitting the PTI lawyer’s letter and conducting the next hearing. Additional Sessions judge Zafar Iqbal adjourned the hearing till 2pm. The court directed the lawyer Sher Afazl Marwat to submit his letter. In his remarks, the judge asked the court to name a case that had gone on for so long before the additional sessions court. He added that Imran went to other courts but did not appear before the sessions court. Imran challenges non-bailable arrest warrant The PTI chief has moved the IHC against the non-bailable arrest warrant ordered by Additional Sessions judge Zafar Iqbal in the Toshakhana case. Lawyer Ali Bukhari filed the petition requesting a cancellation of the warrant. The plea maintained that it was “illegal” to issue a non-bailable warrant. A day earlier, a local court in Islamabad had rejected the request to cancel Imran’s arrest warrant.

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