Imran Khan heaves a sigh of relief as BHC suspends arrest warrant

The Balochistan High Court on Friday suspended arrest warrants issued by a local court for PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in a case related to alleged hate remarks against state institutions. 

The high court has issued notices to the Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, the DIG, the SP legal, the SHO and the man who had lodged the complaint against Imran Khan. The case has bee adjourned for two weeks. 

The development comes as a team of the Quetta police, comprising City SP Nadeem Ahmed, DSP Abdul Sattar Achakzai, Sub-Inspector Malik Hameed and two commandoes Qaiser and Sultan, reached Lahore to arrest the PTI chief. The team, which had received non-bailable arrest warrants from the judicial magistrate, had informed Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana in this regard.

A day earlier, a judicial magistrate issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the deposed premier, ordering the authorities concerned to produce Mr Khan before the court after arresting him. 

PTI Coins Strategy Amid Fears of Imran Khan’s Arrest 

The PTI had formed a new strategy in view of the possible arrest of Mr Khan, sources said, adding that party workers from south Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been directed to reach Zaman Park. At least 5,000 workers would perform duty outside Zaman park. 

It has been decided that PTI Senior Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi will take over the powers for party decision in case of Imran Khan’s arrest. 

Sources said efforts were also being made to finalise the matters related to awarding of party tickets before the possible arrest of the PTI chief. The Imran Khan-led party would launch its election campaign from next week.

The Case

On Monday, a case was registered against the former prime minister at the Bijli Road police station in Quetta for alleged hate speech against state institutions. In the FIR, the complainant said the Islamabad police had reached Zaman Park to arrest the PTI chief but he evaded his arrest and later addressed his workers through a video link in which he incited public against the institutions.

The petitioner said Mr Khan hurled baseless allegations against security officers and attempted to create unrest in the country.

On Sunday, officers of the capital police arrived at the residence of the former premier in a bid to arrest him after an Islamabad court issued his arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case for avoiding hearings.

In a series of tweets, the police also said Mr Khan was “avoiding” arrest, adding that a police superintendent had gone to the room but the 70-year-old politician was not there.

Imran Khan was removed from power in April last year through a no-confidence vote and is facing dozens of cases related to terrorism, corruption and others.