Ajit Karn
Pakistani judge dropped an arrest warrant
Islamabad: A Pakistani judge dropped an arrest warrant for former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday, according to his attorneys, after the ex-cricketer, who had missed several proceedings, appeared in court.
Since he was ousted by a vote of no confidence last year, the 70-year-old has been embroiled in a multitude of judicial cases and has been pressuring the fragile coalition government that replaced him to conduct early elections.
This week, Imran Khan’s supporters engaged in pitched battles with police sent to apprehend him in Lahore, Pakistan’s eastern metropolis, after he failed to appear in court on corruption charges, citing security concerns.
“The court has cancelled the arrest warrant for Imran Khan after noting his presence. The hearing has been postponed until March 30,” Gohar Khan, one of Khan’s attorneys, told AFP.
Khan travelled more than 300 kilometres from Lahore to the Islamabad courthouse after days of legal disputes, but was unable to exit the vehicle.
Approximately 4,000 supporters surrounded the complex, hurling stones and masonry at police officers, who responded with tear gas.
However, the court approved Khan’s presence, according to his attorneys.
The case has been filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan, which accuses Imran Khan of failing to report gifts received during his tenure as prime minister or the profit made from selling them.
Courts in Pakistan are frequently used to entangle legislators in protracted proceedings, which human rights watchdogs criticise for stifling political opposition.
Imran Khan asserts that authorities intend to imprison him so that he cannot campaign for upcoming elections.
Around Islamabad, approximately 4,000 security personnel, including elite police commandos, anti-terrorism squads, and paramilitary rangers, have been deployed, and hospitals have been placed on high alert.
Also read: Japan’s Prime Minister is likely to reveal the Indo-Pacific plan while visiting India
In the meantime, police conducted a search warrant at his residence in a posh Lahore suburb after blocking adjacent roads and suspending mobile service in the area.
As the political drama transpires, Pakistan experiences a severe economic downturn and risks default if the International Monetary Fund cannot provide assistance.
In addition, the security situation is deteriorating due to a spate of deadly assaults on police that have been attributed to the Pakistan Taliban.
Khan blamed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the assassination attempt on which he was wounded during a political rally in 2013.
