The local court of Islamabad rejected the request of Chairman PTI Imran Khan to be exempted from the presence of the judge today.
The court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan and ordered the PTI chairman to be arrested and produced on March 29.
Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim in the District and Sessions Courts heard the case against Imran Khan for threatening female judge Zeba Chaudhry, Imran Khan’s lawyer Naeem Panjutha appeared.
Lawyer Naeem Panjutha, while filing a request for exemption from attendance on behalf of Imran Khan, took the stand that Imran Khan should be exempted from attendance on the basis of security concerns.
The judge has remarked that if Imran Khan does not appear today during the court hours, he will issue a non-bailable arrest warrant.
Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim adjourned the hearing till 12:30.
The hearing in the District and Sessions Court Islamabad resumed after a break in the case against Chairman PTI Imran Khan for threatening a female judge.
During the hearing, prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi and Imran Khan’s lawyers Naeem Panjotha and Intarza Panjotha appeared in the court of Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim.
Civil Judge Rana Mujahid Rahim once again extended the time for Imran Khan to appear on this occasion and said that an immunity application has been filed on behalf of Imran Khan. So they will issue non-bailable arrest warrants.
An acquittal petition was filed on behalf of Imran Khan’s lawyers.
Imran Khan’s lawyer said that it is not mandatory for the accused to be on the plea of acquittal.
The court said that the court has summoned Imran Khan to proceed with the indictment proceedings, the copies of the same case have yet to be provided, dismissing the request for immunity from the presence of Imran Khan.
Lawyer Safai Intizar Panjotha said that Imran Khan is a former Prime Minister, there was a murderous attack on him in Wazirabad, Imran Khan has not fully recovered yet, there may be another murderous attack on Imran Khan, Imran Khan is not running away from the courts. No excuses.
Lawyer Imran Khan has requested that Islamabad High Court be exempted from attendance until the decision of the application regarding appearing through video link.
The court reserved its decision on the plea of immunity from the presence of Imran Khan after completion of arguments, which will be heard for some time.
It should be noted that the court has summoned Imran Khan today to give him the copies of the case.
It should be remembered that a case has been registered against former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Margalla police station.
Background of the woman judge intimidation case
On August 20, Imran Khan announced a case against IG and DIG Islamabad against the alleged torture of PTI leader Shehbaz Gul while addressing a protest rally at F-Nine Park.
During the speech, Imran Khan also threatened the female magistrate Zeba Chaudhry who remanded Shahbaz Gul by name.
Imran Khan said that, “IG, DIG Islamabad, we will not leave you, we will file a case against you. Magistrate Zeba Chaudhry, we will not leave you either, we will file a case against you too, the magistrate knew.” That Shehbaz became violent and still remanded.
After this statement, Pemra had issued instructions to the TV channels banning the live broadcast of Imran Khan’s address on August 21. In the 6-page declaration, it was said that Imran’s live speeches are likely to cause disturbance, TV channels can play the recorded speech.
The statement further said that Imran Khan is constantly making baseless accusations against the institutions in his speeches, the statements against the institutions and officers are a violation of Article 19.
The notification issued also included a reference to Imran Khan’s address at F Nine Park.