Imran Khan will be arrested in the case pertaining to attack on the courts: Rana Sanaullah


ISLAMABAD, Mar 01 (SABAH): Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Wednesday said that ‘full effort’ would be made to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan after the ‘intolerable’ attack on the judicial complex. He said Imran Khan will be arrested in the case pertaining to attack on the courts.

During a presser in Islamabad, the minister questioned what kind of politics was taking place within the judicial complex, adding that if anyone committed violence in the judicial complex they would be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Rana Sanaullah Khan stated that the way the judiciary was ‘tolerating’ Imran Khan’s disdainful attitude, he could easily appear before the court with a couple of guards, instead of a mob of people.

Rana Sanaullah said, Imran Khan came to the complex with criminal intent and that it was “not a difficult task” to gather a few thousand people to attack the complex. He maintained that attacking courts was an act of terrorism and two cases had been lodged over the incident.

“So far, 29 people have been arrested and 200 people have been named,” he detailed. Rana Sanaullah reiterated that Imran Khan was the mastermind behind the ‘entire criminal act’.

The minister also appealed to the populace to recognise Imran Khan for “who he is” and to “toss him out” with their votes. He maintained that through such acts, not only are the courts disrespected, they are unable to perform their duties.

Rana Sanaullah said that the ousted premier received “love and unnecessary relief from the courts” but would not get bail sitting at home. He added that he would try his best to “catch Imran”.

He added that Imran Khan used to call himself popular, but should now observe his ‘Jail Bharo’ movement. He cited Imran as first having said that thousands would go to jail and is now requesting that certain people are exempted from incarceration.

Rana Sanaullah sid the federal government would accept the apex court verdict despite reservations.

He said CCTV footage of the incident had been acquired in which around 200 people were nominated. “Footage of the incident will be provided to the media so that the entire nation should see the face of these criminal-minded elements,” added Rana Sanaullah.

The minister said scuffle with the media persons on the premises of the judicial complex was also condemnable and action would be taken against the responsible.

Commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision to hold polls in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in 90 days, the minister said that the incumbent government will accept the apex court’s decision but there was a “difference of opinion” within the ruling.

He maintained that the petition was declared premature and the suo motu action was considered unnecessary, therefore the petitions were dismissed and automatically dropped. “The suo motu case has been dropped and the decision will now be taken in the high courts”.