By applying for pre-arrest bail with the Islamabad High Court, Imran Khan, the chairman of the PTI, has opted to seek protection against his arrest in a terror case brought against him Sunday night.
Faisal Chaudhry, an attorney for the PTI, stated that the party’s legal staff would file the appeal with the IHC on Khan’s behalf.
A first information report (FIR) was filed against former prime minister Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening an extra sessions judge and senior Islamabad Police officers at a protest in F-9 Park in the federal capital.
The Interior Ministry requests arrest authorisation from the Prime Minister.
Following the complaint filing, the interior ministry has requested written approval from the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to arrest Khan.
According to reliable sources, the PTI chairman has reportedly fled his Bani Gala mansion to evade arrest. According to reports, he may have travelled to Lahore or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
However, according to PTI leader Faisal Vawda, Khan is still at Bani Gala.
The News reports that the interior ministry has requested written approval from the PM Office to arrest the PTI chairman. According to sources, the arrest would be performed with the agreement of all parties in the ruling coalition.
Asif Ali Zardari, former president and leader of the PPP, has criticised the detention of Imran Khan. He feels the arrest will harm the political standing of the ruling coalition.
In contrast, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not provide a clear position on Imran Khan’s arrest, despite PTI leader Murad Saeed’s declaration that Imran Khan’s arrest warrants had been issued on Sunday night.
Forces stationed around Bani Gala
Sources told Geo News that the road leading to Imran Khan’s Bani Gala property had been closed to unauthorized visitors, allowing only those close to him and inhabitants of the area to enter. These measures were taken within hours of the filing of the complaint.
According to The News, it has not yet been determined if Imran Khan would be detained or placed under house arrest, according to insiders involved in planning the operation’s tactics.
“Negotiations with Imran Khan are underway, as the PTI leader wants to escape detention or house arrest,” said the sources, adding that the authorities have several options to manage the matter with the assistance of law enforcement agencies but are awaiting a go-ahead from the relevant parties.
“Imran Khan is requesting the ability to contact the higher judiciary to receive relief, but he must first surrender to the police,” sources added.
The accusation was brought against Imran Khan
At a protest in F-9 Park, Khan allegedly threatened Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and police personnel to “terrorise” law enforcement and the judiciary, according to the FIR filed against Khan. According to the FIR, the primary objective of the intimidation was to prevent police personnel and judges from carrying out their legal duties.
The FIR was registered at the Margalla Police Station in Islamabad under Section 7 of the ATA upon the complaint of Magistrate Ali Javed.
The FIR alleges that the PTI chairman threatened Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and police personnel at a demonstration in F-9 Park to “terrorise” law enforcement and judicial officials. According to the FIR, the primary objective of the intimidation was to prevent police personnel and judges from carrying out their legal duties.