The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday said that its order halting the operation at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore will remain in force until 3pm. The court has directed the PTI’s leadership to hold a meeting with Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Usman Anwar once again and reach a consensus on Imran Khan’s security, how to execute the non-bailable arrest warrants, the arrests of PTI’s workers and other related issues. Read 50 PTI workers arrested in Rawalpindi Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh was hearing different pleas including a petition filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry who had moved the court after the police's attempts to arrest Imran had been marred by violence. Imran Khan had also sought the court's help to reach LHC to request protective bail in different FIRs and to "stop the atrocities of the police officials who are inflicting upon the petitioner, his political party and its leadership as well as the general public at Zaman Park". Meanwhile, the IGP had categorically rejected the PTI's request to allow arrested workers access to the LHC and stated that “those who are found guilty will not be asked to reach courts," adding that "they will be brought to justice at any cost. Previously, the court had directed IGP Punjab and the PTI leaders to sit with each other and reach a consensus. During the proceedings today, Fawad informed the court that the two parties had successfully held a meeting yesterday where security-related concerns were also discussed. Read More Toshakhana case: IHC raises objections on Imran's warrant suspension plea He informed the court that IGP Punjab has provided guarantees that Imran Khan will be provided security as per the law. He also said that the PTI has decided to postpone its jalsa to Monday but no rally will be taken out. Further, after holding talks with the police, the party has agreed to inform the local administration five days in advance. Fawad also said that an application seeking Imran Khan's protective bail is being filed so that he may be able to travel to Islamabad and appear before the relevant court. Moreover, the PTI leader contended that IGP has filed a civil miscellaneous application seeking access to Zaman Park for examining the venue where the violence had ensued to collect evidence about the attacks on police officials by the PTI workers. Fawad maintained that this, he feared, would once again stirr trouble. Justice Sheikh remarked that the perpetrators must be tried according to the law. Fawad said that if the police will start a search operation against PTI workers the situation could worsen. The proper way, he suggested, is to identify the people and then take us into confidence over them, he added up. IGP Punjab stated that he would not sit with criminals to discuss who would be arrested and who would be spared. He also said that proper security has been provided to Imran Khan and all actions are being taken in accordance with the law. Upon this Justice Sheikh inquired what the procedure for the execution of an arrest warrant was. Also Read Imran dials down anger, says ready to mend fences "There is a proper procedure in the Constitution which is not being adopted", the PTI lawyer told the court. Citing a recent example, he said "on one hand, the same warrant has been issued to interior minister Rana Sanaullah but those warrants are not being executed in a way we are watching at Zaman Park". The IGP responded by saying that "we peacefully reached Zaman Park but petrol bombs were thrown at us". "We are against political victimisation," he stressed, "but we have the duty to investigate the accused persons, hold a fair investigation and treat the people in accordance with the law". Advocate General Punjab Shan Gull seconded the IGP’s version and ensured everyone will be dealt in accordance with law. IG Anwar requested the court to decide on the matter concerning Imran Khan's arrest. Justice Sheikh said that the judgment will be made at 3pm and adjourned the session.
from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/V3A4JNt
No comments:
Post a Comment