Islamabad High Court temporarily suspends arrest warrant against former Pakistani PM Imran Khan
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Image: Voice of America.
On Tuesday, the High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan suspended for five days a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party and a former prime minister.
The court ordered Khan, 70, to appear in the Islamabad District and Sessions Court on March 13, denying a request by his attorney, Ali Bukhari, for a four-week moratorium on the warrant.
According to authorities, during his premiership Khan purchased discount items, including a Graff wristwatch, from the Toshakhana government depository, resold them for profit, and failed to mention these activities in his asset declaration.
Khan has repeatedly skipped hearings, citing security and health concerns.
On Twitter Tuesday, Khan accused now-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif's government of arranging the 76 charges he faces: "This is what happens when a bunch of criminals are imposed on a nation by those who are devoid of intelligence, morality & ethics."
On Monday, the District and Sessions Court declined Khan's plea to revoke the warrant. The previous day, Islamabad Police had unsuccessfully attempted to arrest the former cricketer at his house in Lahore, clashing with PTI supporters outside the building.
In October, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) found Khan issued "false statements and incorrect declarations" on the Toshakhana transactions, advising authorities to file a criminal complaint.
Related news[edit]
- "Shehbaz Sharif becomes new prime minister of Pakistan" — Wikinews, April 13, 2022
Sources[edit]
- Tanisha Rajput. "Islamabad court suspends Pak ex-PM Imran Khan's arrest warrants till March 13 in Toshakhana case" — WION, March 7, 2023
- Press Trust of India. "Arrest warrant against Pak's ex-PM Imran Khan suspended till March 13 in Toshakhana case" — India Today, March 7, 2023
- "Islamabad Court refuses to cancel arrest warrant against Ex Prime Minister Imran Khan in Toshakhana Case" — CNBC TV18, March 6, 2023