Election Commission of Pakistan issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan in contempt case
ISLAMABAD, July 24 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan and has ordered Inspector General of Police, Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan to present him before the commission tomorrow (Monday) at 10:00 AM.
According to the arrest warrant issued by ECP, whereas, Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, R/o (Bani Gala, Mohra Noor Islamabad and House No.2, Zaman Park Lahore), is required in the contempt of the Commission’s proceedings initiated in terms of section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017. The said person failed to appear before the Election Commission of Pakistan despite service of notices as well Bailable Warrants of Arrest dated 16-01-2023 and 02-03-2023. The Commission in exercise of powers vested in it under section 4(2) of the Elections Act 2017, and other enabling provisions of Act and Rules has issued Non-bailable Warrants of arrest of Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.
The commission further said, this warrant authorizes and requires you to arrest the said Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and bring him before the Election Commission of Pakistan on 25th day of July, 2023 at 10:00 AM. The directions have been issued by Director General (Law), ECP Muhammad Arshad.
Earlier, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday barred the law-enforcement agencies from arresting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief till next date of hearing on Aug 9 in lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case.
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Yahya Afridi, also comprises Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Naqvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali heard the case.
The PTI chairman was also present in court at the time of hearing. Lawyer of the petitioner did not attend court. The Advocate General Balochistan sought court order for the PTI chairman to join the investigation process and report to the investigation officer.
The Supreme Court adjourned hearing of the case till Aug 9 asking the PTI chief to attend the court on next hearing date.
The IGP Balochistan submitted the investigation report to the Supreme Court in lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case. The report said the victim was being threatened over a petition filed in the apex court on Article 6.
In the report submitted by the IGP, the apex court was told that during the investigation, a seven-member JIT was formed by the Ministry of Interior under the chairmanship of CTD DIG on June 8, which has held eight meetings.
The report stated that it was decided to call the suspects in the first meeting of the JIT. Summons were sent to the PTI chairman on June 19.
Despite several notices, the PTI chairman did not join the investigation. It was decided to include four suspects including the PTI chairman in the investigation.
According to the report, statements of the deceased’s wife and two brothers had also been recorded.