ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Asad Umar has appealed to Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial to stop authorities from creating hurdles or arresting party chief and former prime minister Imran Khan as he was on the way to appear before a court in the Toshakhana reference filed against him by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
In an application written to the chief justice, Asad Umar said that the Islamabad police, in order to create terror and harassment, have blocked roads leading to the judicial complex Islamabad to stop Imran Khan from appearing in the court.
“That Islamabad Hon’ble Court in Criminal Revision No.42/2023 Titled as “Imran Khan Vs District Election Commission” vide its order dated 17-03-2023 while setting aside the non-bailable warrants of arrest issued by the Learned District Judge Islamabad, directed the former Prime Minister of Pakistan to appear before the trial court. Imran Khan in compliance with the court’s direction, left Lahore to attend the hearing,” Asad Umar said in the letter.
My letter to chief justice supreme court asking him to take notice of the illegal attempts to stop imran khan from reaching the judicial complex or arrest him despite clear court orders pic.twitter.com/zmsTzYLz95
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 18, 2023
“Imran Khan has gotten protective bail in nine cases from the Lahore High Court. The Hon’ble Lahore High Court in W.P No. 18442/2023 Imran Ahmed Khan VS FOP vide order dated 17-03-2023 has directed the state authorities to refrain from taking coercive measures against Imran Khan. When it has been revealed that the police have stormed his Lahore residence, doors and walls have been raised to the ground,” he said.
Asad Umar further said: “It was further informed that the ICT police, in order to create terror and harassment, have blocked the roads leading to the judicial complex, Islamabad, and also blocked motorway and other highways to create hurdles in Imran Khan’s lawful endeavour in pursuant to the above-referred order certain cases that the unlawful and illegal actions are intending to arrest the Imran Khan are not in the knowledge of the Imran Khan. Access to his legal team and media presence was refused to by almost none. His fundamental right to access justice and fair trial has been hampered and compromised by the police and law enforcement agencies.”
“In the prevailing circumstances, I have firm reasons to believe that the state authorities to avenge Imran Khan acting at the behest of the present PDM government are hell-bent on compromising the liberty of Imran Khan in the most unlawful manner. And it has been reiterated by Imran Khan time, and again his life is at stake and he may be taken out in a bid to take his life,” he said.
“It is appealed that if the respondents are not stopped from acting illegally and arresting Khan, he may face unseen consequences. And to save and protect his fundamental rights to life. This may be taken up under the suo moto jurisdiction,” the PTI leader said.
