Islamabad Police together with their Punjab Police counterparts on Sunday reached PTI chairman Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore to take him into custody for his persistent absences from Toshakhana courtroom hearings.
The previous prime minister has thrice skipped hearings by which he was to be indicted for allegedly concealing particulars of the items he retained from the Toshakhana — a repository the place presents handed to authorities officers from international officers are deposited.
In a collection of tweets immediately, the Islamabad Police stated that the operation was being carried out with the cooperation of the Lahore police.
It said that the PTI chief was “avoiding” the arrest, including that the superintendent of police had “gone into Imran’s room however he was not current there”.
“Authorized motion shall be taken in opposition to these obstructing the execution of courtroom orders,” the police added.
In the meantime, footage on tv present police officers in Islamabad Police uniform in addition to Punjab Police being held again by PTI employees exterior the Zaman Park residence.
It’s pertinent to say that Islamabad Extra Classes Decide (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the previous prime minister final month over persistent absences from courtroom.
The warrant dated Feb 28, a duplicate of which is obtainable with Daybreak.com, said that Imran had repetitively failed to look earlier than the courtroom. “The accused is making a choose and select for courts and circumstances and this case will not be included in his precedence.”
“The accused be summoned by a non-bailable warrant of arrest for March 7,” it added.
Fawad calls party workers to converge on Zaman Park
In a press conference outside Imran’s residence, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Islamabad Police had arrived at the ex-premier’s residence to execute his arrest in the Toshakhana case.
“There are 74 cases against Imran. It is humanly not possible for any person to appear in court in all these cases,” he said, claiming that Imran’s arrest was aimed at postponing the upcoming general elections in Punjab.
Fawad stated that Imran had always respected the judiciary and appeared before courts whenever he was called. “But they want Imran Khan to go to court so that terrorists can target him again.”
He then called on party workers across the country to prepare. “If they cross the red line, there will be a protest that Pakistan has never seen before,” Fawad added.
In a tweet earlier, Fawad had called on party workers to converge on Zaman Park, warning the “incompetent and anti-Pakistan” government against pushing the country into further crisis.
Terming the “imported” government as the “country’s enemy”, Fawad warned the PDM not to push the country into further crisis and act sensibly.
Toshakhana Reference
Imran was set to be indicted in the Toshakhana Reference on Feb 28, but his lawyer had requested ADSJ Iqbal that he be exempted from the hearing because he had to appear in several other courts. His indictment was deferred twice before.
The judge had then issued arrest warrants for Imran and adjourned the hearing till March 7.
The reference, which alleges that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales, was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had concluded that the former premier had indeed made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts.
The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.
The watchdog’s order had said Imran stood disqualified beneath Article 63(1)(p) of the Structure.
Subsequently, the ECP had approached the Islamabad classes courtroom with a duplicate of the reference, in search of proceedings in opposition to Imran beneath prison regulation for allegedly deceptive officers in regards to the items he acquired from international dignitaries throughout his tenure because the prime minister.
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