Additional District & Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal observed that Imran Khan should help the authorities rather than exhibiting opposition as the PTI Chairman’s legal team requested the revocation of the arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case.
After being ordered by the IHC to give an assurance in the trial court in the Toshakhana case, Khan is being represented by Khawaja Harris in district and sessions court to obtain relief for his client.
Khawaja Harris opened the hearing by reading the high court’s decision upholding the arrest warrants. The judge noted that the IHC ruling was still pending in his court.
The PTI Chairman’s attorney questioned why Imran Khan had to be arrested in order to appear in court. The ex-prime minister should appear in court, the judge retorted. Judge Zafar Iqbal said, “According to law, Imran Khan should help police and not to show opposition,” adding that non-bailable arrest warrants had been issued to ensure the PTI chief’s physical attendance.
Khawaja Harris said that because they were not seeking exemption and his client wanted to present in court. He then presented the judge with two choices, stating that the court may accept the promise to revoke the warrants or could issue bailable warrants in exchange for a surety.
“Imran Khan’s arrest warrants have become the most costly in the world as government has spent millions to enforce them,” the judge said in reference to the violent scenario that occurred in Lahore following an effort to arrest the PTI chairman.
The court said that if Imran Khan turned himself in to the authorities, he would direct the IGP not to arrest him. He questioned, “Why there was opposition when warrants were issued in accordance with the law.”
With the submission of the assurance, according to Khawaja Harris, the warrants would no longer need to be upheld. The hearing was then adjourned by the judge who said that a detailed written order of the case will be issued.
