ISLAMABAD: Rejecting Imran Khan’s petition seeking exemption from hearing, an Islamabad court issued non-bailable arrest warrant for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief in the case of threatening a female judge on Wednesday.
Civil judge Malik Aman announced the verdict and directed Imran Khan to appear before the court on April 18.
Imran Khan’s lawyers said that the PTI chairman’s life was in danger as he was facing threats while the Islamabad High Court has also ordered for his security to be withdrawn. They requested the court that in such circumstances, Imran Khan’s bailable arrest warrant be retained.
The proceeding was adjourned till 11:00am as the prosecution’s counsel had not reached the court.
On resumption, prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi objected to Imran Khan’s petition for exemption and requested the court to change the bailable warrant to non-bailable warrant as the former prime minister failed to appear before the court. “Even the plea is not signed by him,” he said.
After lawyers on both sides completed their arguments, the court reserved the verdict and later announced it.
Imran Khan is facing the case after he — while reacting to denial of bail to Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case — allegedly threatened police and a female judge last year.
