ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday reserved its decision on the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) plea seeking a 14-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, who was taken into custody on Tuesday from the Islamabad High Court premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case. After hearing both parties, the NAB court reserved its verdict expected to be announced soon.
Earlier, the NAB sought a 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Accountability Court Islamabad Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the Al Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan at the New Guest House of Islamabad Police Lines.
Imran Khan’s lawyers Khawaja Haris, Ali Bukhari, Faisal Chaudhry and Barrister Gohar appeared in the court.
During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor argued that NAB should be given a 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan for further investigation.
The court permitted Khan to consult his lawyers after NAB requested physical remand. The court has adjourned the hearing.
According to sources, the former prime minister consulted his lawyers during the break in the hearing.
The New Police Guest House at the Police Lines Headquarters has been given the status of a court through a notification to hear the case against Imran Khan.
Containers have been installed outside the Police Lines in Islamabad and roads have been closed and a heavy police force has been deployed.
After the break, Imran Khan appeared in the court again with his lawyers when the court resumed hearing.
On this occasion, Imran Khan’s lawyers opposed NAB’s plea for the physical remand of the former prime minister and took the stance that NAB does not have jurisdiction in the case.
Imran Khan’s lawyers said the NAB has not shared the inquiry report. It is Imran Khan’s fundamental right to get a fair trial, which according to the law, should be in the open court, the lawyers argued.
NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, Special Prosecutor Rafi Maqsood, NAB Prosecutor Sardar Zulfiqar Noorin and NAB Investigation Officer Mian Umar Nadeem were also present in the court.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, the location of both the courts has been changed for Imran Khan’s appearance in the accountability and local district courts today.
Similarly, the court of Additional Sessions Judge Islamabad Humayun Dilawar has also been changed for the day. Imran Khan is likely to be indicted in the Toshakhana case today.
Chief Commissioner Office Islamabad on Tuesday night issued a notification declaring the New Police Guest House at Police Lines Headquarter H-11/1, the venue for hearing the case against the former premier who was taken into custody from the Islamabad High Court premises by Rangers.
The notification reads, “In exercise of the power vested under setion9 (2) Cr. P.C, Law and Justice Notification issued pursuant of Article 2 of Islamabad Capital Territory (Administration) order, 1980 (P. O. NO.18 OF 1980) and all other powers enabling in this behalf, the provincial government, as a one-time dispensation, is pleased to declare New Police Guest House, Police Lines Headquarters H-11/1, Islamabad, the venue for hearing the case titled ‘District Election Commissioner vs Imran Khan Niazi’ and for the appearance of Imran Khan before the Honourable Judge Accountability Court-1 Islamabad on 10th May 2023 instead of the Court Complex F-8 and Judicial Complex G-11/4 Islamabad.”
