A court on Friday issued non-bailable arrest warrants Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz in connection with  an alleged assault on Islamabad police officers stationed outside Zaman Park residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and ordered Imran Khan’s production in the court on July 30. The case, registered at the Race Course police station, stems from clashes between PTI supporters and police during a tense standoff outside the former prime minister’s home.

The case was heard by Judicial Magistrate Sohail Rafiq, who also issued a written verdict in this regard. During the hearing at Lahore's Cantt Kutchery, the magistrate directed jail authorities to ensure Imran Khan’s appearance, as he is incarcerated in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. The court adjourned proceedings until July 30. The development follows a wave of rulings by anti-terrorism courts (ATCs), which recently handed down 10-year prison sentences to several senior PTI leaders for their involvement in the May 9, 2023 riots, sparked by Khan's earlier arrest.   

Yesterday, a dozen of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers were sentenced to six months in jail by two different courts in Islamabad for participating in the November 26 protest without official permission. The verdicts were announced by the District and Sessions Courts of Islamabad in three separate cases filed under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order (PAPO) Act.

Two cases were registered at Ramna Police Station and one at Tarnol Police Station. Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Shehzad Gondal gave the ruling in the two Ramna cases, while Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas handed down the verdict in the Tarnol case. One of the 13 accused was acquitted by the court, while the remaining 12 were convicted and sentenced. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)