The Supreme Court has ordered not to arrest Imran Khan till August 9 in the lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar murder case. The court rejected the Balochistan government’s request to order Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to investigate the matter.
Former prime minister Imran Khan appeared before the court on Monday in connection with a petition seeking removal of his name from the case in the Quetta lawyer murder case.
The Supreme Court had summoned Imran Khan in a personal capacity, the court said that the petitioner will have to surrender before the court to get relief.
Justice Yahya Khan Afridi said that the PTI chairman will also have to appear on the next hearing.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Mazahar Naqvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali is hearing the case.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court gave relief to Imran Khan and ordered not to arrest him till August 9.
It may be recalled that the PPP and the PML-N have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, the PPP had proposed to dissolve the Assembly on August 8, while August 9 and 10 were also considered for the dissolution of the National Assembly.
During the hearing, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi asked, “On what basis do you want to investigate Imran Khan?”
On this, advocate general Balochistan said that according to the FIR, Imran Khan wants to be included in the investigation, ask the Chairman PTI to appear before the investigating officer.
The court also rejected the request of prosecutor Balochistan to involve the PTI chairman and give a longer date to the lawyer’s murder case.
Justice Yahya Khan Afridi remarked that the Attorney General has filed the report, we have to see some things, and the CHAIRMAN PTI will also have to appear on the next hearing, the date of two weeks is appropriate. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till August 7.
The victim was being threatened on his plea of Article 6
Earlier, IG Balochistan submitted the investigation report to the Supreme Court, stating that the deceased was being threatened on the request of Article 6.
During the hearing, the report submitted by IG Balochistan said that during the investigation, a seven-member JIT headed by DIG CTD was formed by the Ministry of Interior on June 8, which has so far held eight meetings.
The report said that in the first meeting of the JIT, it was decided to call the accused, on June 19, notices were sent to the CHAIRMAN PTI, despite several notices, the chairman PTI did not get involved in the investigation, it was decided to include four accused including Chairman PTI Imran Khan in the case.
According to the report, the statements of the deceased’s wife and two brothers have also been recorded, while the investigation is still going on.
Background
Abdul Razzaq had filed a constitutional petition in the Balochistan High Court against PTI chief Imran Khan, seeking serious treason proceedings against the former prime minister under Article 6.
His petition said that Imran Khan should be tried under Article 6 in the light of the Supreme Court’s decision, which recommended legal action against Imran Khan and Qasim Suri for illegally dissolving the National Assembly after the joint opposition moved a no-confidence motion against the PTI.
Abdul Razzaq Shar was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Alamo Chowk on Quetta Airport Road on June 6, police said, adding that the victim was on his way to the Balochistan High Court when his vehicle was attacked by unidentified men armed with automatic weapons.
Meanwhile, the government and PTI blamed the incident and both sides accused each other of being involved in the murder.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar had alleged that the lawyer was killed at the behest of Imran Khan to avoid accountability in the treason case, while PTI spokesman Rauf Hassan had accused Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of murder.
On June 7, Abdul Razzaq Shar’s son filed a case against PTI chairman Imran Khan alleging that his father was murdered at the behest of the former prime minister.
