Imran Khan’s arrest from IHC premises violated judicial sanctity: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises violated the judicial sanctity.

As a three-member Supreme Court bench began hearing a PTI petition challenging Imran Khan’s arrest, CJP Bandial termed Tuesday’s incident a disgrace to Pakistan’s judiciary.

The CJP is heading the bench which also includes Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar.

Rangers personnel barged into the Islamabad High Court premises on Tuesday and arrested the PTI chairman while acting on a warrant issued by the National Accountability Bureau. The NAB said it arrested Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

While narrating Tuesday’s happenings, Imran Khan’s lawyer Hamid Khan told the Supreme Court bench on Thursday that the former prime minister had appeared at the Islamabad High Court to seek extension in bail in one of the cases he is facing. While he was getting his biometric verification done, Rangers broke into the room through a window and made the arrest, the lawyer added.

The CJP inquired about the case in which Imran Khan was seeking the bail extension. Justice Athar Minallah inquired if a plea can be filed before the biometric verification is conducted. At this, the lawyer said Imran Khan went for biometric verification because a plea cannot be filed before that.

“Why did NAB take the law in its hand? It would have been better for NAB to seek permission from IHC registrar,” Justice Minallah said.

The judge also regretted the current situation in the country.

Imran Khan’s arrest followed violent protests from PTI activists and supporters that has resulted in loss of lives and a lot of damage to public and government property.

“Where did the sanctity of the court go with the arrest from the court premises,” CJP Bandial remarked.

The CJP also inquired about the number of personnel who made Imran Khan’s arrest. He was told by Salman Safdar that 80-100 men were there.

“What was left of the honour of the court when 90 people entered the court premises. NAB has disrespected the court,” CJP Bandial said, adding that no one would feel safe inside a court anymore.

“No one can be arrested from the high court, Supreme Court or accountability court. Imran Khan’s arrest violated the judicial sanctity,” he added.

Justice Minallah remarked that no one would come to the court if such arrests are made a norm. “A person who has surrendered before a court cannot be arrested,” he added.

CJP Bandial then remarked that the court will review the legality of the NAB warrant and compliance on it. “The right to surrender before the court cannot be sabotaged,” CJP added.