The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday termed the arrested of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan legal in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The IHC Chief Justice remarked that he will issue an appropriate decision.
During the proceedings, the Attorney General admitted that the lawyers have been tortured during the arrest.
Earlier, the Chief Justice at IHC had ordered the Islamabad Inspector General (IG) to appear before the court alongside the additional attorney general and the interior secretary.
“We told you to appear in court within 15 minutes but you came after 45 minutes,” the IHC CJ observed, expressing anger at the delay.’ The Islamabad IG replied that he had found out about Imran’s arrest from the media. “He has been arrested in a case pertaining to corrupt practices,” he told the judge and submitted the PTI chief’s arrest warrant in court.
“But as far as I know and from what the court staff said, Imran was not arrested by the NAB,” Justice Farooq noted. “I will issue an appropriate order if the arrest was in violation of the law,” Farooq added, according to the report.
“Whoever has done this is wrong,” Chief Justice Aamir Farooq observed. “I will also take action against the prime minister and ministers if needed.”
As the interior secretary did not appear in court, the IHC chief justice expressed annoyance and asked if he should summon the cabinet now.
The chief justice said they also heard the police force was tortured.
Islamabad IGP Akbar Nasir Khan told the court that Imran Khan has been arrested in a corruption case.
The CJ said if the act turns out against the law everyone will be proceeded against.
He asked if the NAB action was carried out under the law, adding even if it was to be done through the Rangers, it should be under law and proper procedure.
Imran’s lawyer Khawaja Haris sought reversal of the arrest, and asked the court to grant interim bail in the case, assuring his client will join the investigation.
Counsel Faisal Chaudhry sought a full court to hear the case to reinforce its respect.
The chief justice remarked that an attack on lawyers is an attack on the institution and himself. He also remarked that if the NAB implemented the arrest warrant, then it is a federal issue.
The advocate general also condemned the treatment meted out to lawyers. He also requested for adjourning the case till tomorrow, however the plea was objected to by Imran Khan’s lawyers.
The IHC chief justice then summoned the NAB Rawalpindi director general and the prosecutor general within half an hour.
Imran Khan arrested
In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Imran Khan was arrested by a team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that was assisted by a large contingent of the Rangers personnel, when he was marking his attendance through biometric verification.
The NAB chairman issued the arrest warrants for Imran Khan.
The PTI chairman has been shifted to the NAB Rawalpindi office, according to sources.
Security has been beefed up outside the NAB Rawalpindi office. Police has blocked all roads leading to the office.
Anti-Riot Force, FC contingents and additional police force has reached outside the NAB office.
As per details, Imran Khan has been arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case of the National Accountability Bureau as well as the Toshakhana case.
The PTI chief was set to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to seek bail in two cases related to sedition and attempted murder on Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha.
Security sources say Imran Khan was arrested after showing the legal warrant, adding the security personnel did not misbehave with the PTI chairman.
Sources also said the NAB chairman issued the arrest warrants on May 1, adding Imran Khan will be presented in the relevant court for remand.
IHC terms Imran Khan’s arrest ‘legal’ in Al-Qadir Trust case
