ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Monday, ordering the capital police to arrest and present him before the electoral watchdog. The warrants were issued due to his non-appearance before the commission.
However, earlier in the day, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court barred law enforcement agencies from arresting the PTI chief until the next date of hearing on August 9 in the lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case. The bench, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi, also asked the PTI chairman to attend the court on the next hearing date.
Investigation Against PTI Chief
During the hearing, the Advocate General Balochistan requested a court order for the PTI chief to cooperate with the investigation process and report to the investigation officer. The Supreme Court adjourned the case until August 9.
In the investigation report submitted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Balochistan, it was revealed that the victim, Abdul Razzaq Shar, had received threats over a petition filed in the apex court on Article 6. The report stated that a seven-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed under the chairmanship of CTD DIG on June 8, which held eight meetings during the investigation process.
Despite repeated notices, the PTI chairman did not join the investigation, leading to the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants by the ECP. The investigation also included statements from the deceased’s wife and two brothers.
