In a major development, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has condemned the arrest of PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He termed the arrest a mighty disgrace to the country’s judicial establishment.
According to the details, CJP Umar Ata Bandial made the remarks while heading a three-member bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar hearing PTI’s petition challenging the arrest of party chief Imran Khan.
“Where did the sanctity of the court go with the arrest from the court premises,” CJP Bandial remarked.
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“What was left of the honour of the court when 90 people entered the court premises? NAB has disrespected the court,” CJP Bandial also 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 further added.
Meanwhile, Justice Athar Minallah said Imran Khan should have not been arrested when he was going to surrender. He said that every citizen has the right to get justice and the apex court had to ensure its provision. The judge also regretted the current situation in the country.
“Why did NAB take the law in its hand? It would have been better for NAB to seek permission from the IHC registrar,” Justice Minallah asked.
SC demands Imran Khan’s appearance
Later the SC ordered authorities concerned to present former prime minister Imran Khan before it within an hour.
“Present Imran Khan before the court by 4:30 pm,” a three-member bench ordered the Islamabad IGP.
Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Tuesday.
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The PTI chief was taken into custody by Rangers personnel, who were acting on the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) warrant, from the premises of Islamabad High Court where the former premier had gone to seek bail in multiple cases registered against him.
Later on, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) termed the arrest of the former premier and PTI chairman ‘legal.’