Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and current chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has suffered a setback from a district and sessions court in Islamabad. The court rejected his plea seeking cancellation of the non-bailable warrant issued against him in the Toshakhana case.
During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyers argued that their client has always complied with the court’s orders and that if he was ready to appear, the police could not arrest him. However, the judge pointed out that the PTI chief could have approached the Islamabad High Court for the suspension of the warrant.
The warrant was issued on February 28 by Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal, due to Imran Khan’s repeated non-appearance in the court in the Toshakhana case. On Sunday, a team of Islamabad Police attempted to arrest him, but he could not be found.
The PTI chief has also approached the Lahore High Court regarding the matter. The Toshakhana case relates to the alleged misuse of official vehicles by former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani, and former president Asif Ali Zardari.
The decision of the district and sessions court in Islamabad is another setback for Imran Khan, who is already facing criticism for his government’s handling of various issues, including the economy and the coronavirus pandemic.