Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants Issued for PTI Leaders, Including Imran Khan
Lahore, Pakistan – In a significant development, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including party chairman Imran Khan. The warrants were also issued for Hammad Azhar, Mian Aslam Iqbal, and other party members. The court’s decision came in response to a request made by the investigating officer.
The cases against the accused were registered at the Naseerabad and Model Town police stations in Lahore. These cases involve charges of torching a container and attacking the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office in the provincial capital. It is worth noting that numerous cases, ranging from terrorism to corruption, have been filed against the deposed prime minister since his ousting through a no-confidence motion in April of the previous year.
The PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, also faced terrorism charges following the riots that broke out on May 9, triggered by the arrest of the former prime minister in the Al-Qadir Trust case. During the violent protests that lasted nearly three days, supporters of the PTI allegedly attacked and set fire to state installations, resulting in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries.
The aftermath of the riots witnessed several PTI leaders and founding members, such as Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, and Aamir Mehmood Kiani, parting ways with the party. Many individuals blamed the party chief’s policies for the outbreak of violence.
Subsequent to the violent protests, authorities launched a crackdown to apprehend the suspects involved in the vandalism. As a result, hundreds of PTI leaders and workers were arrested.
The National Security Committee (NSC), consisting of the top civil and military leadership of the country, expressed its firm determination to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards acts of violence by miscreants on May 9. The committee endorsed the decision to try those responsible for attacking sensitive installations and state buildings under the Army Act, Official Secrets Act, and other relevant laws as prescribed by the constitution.
The NSC meeting further emphasized that all abettors, planners, facilitators, and direct participants in acts of arson, attacks on military installations, and public buildings should be held accountable under the appropriate legal framework, including the Army Act, Official Secrets Act, and other constitutional provisions.
Published in PakWeb, June 20th, 2023.
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