Perpetual arrest warrants were issued on Wednesday for nine Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders due to their absence from the court in a case related to the violence broke out outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) earlier this year on the occasion of Imran Khan’s hearing in Toshakhana case.
Judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain issued warrants for PTI leaders including Hammad Azhar, Shibli Faraz, Murad Saeed, Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Ali Nawaz Awan, Hassaan Khan Niazi, Umer Sultan, and Muhammad Asim.
Same arrest warrant for Farrukh Habib, who has left PTI recently, was also issued.
Designating them as proclaimed offenders, the court ordered their immediate arrest and presence before the law.
The case revolves around violent clashes that occurred in March during PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s appearance at the FJC for a hearing related to the Toshakhana case. The confrontations escalated into a fierce battle between law enforcement officers and PTI supporters. Both sides deployed tear gas and anti-riot gear, and PTI supporters resorted to hurling rocks and petrol bombs, resulting in chaos outside the FJC.
During the clashes, more than 25 officials were injured, and a police chowki (outpost) was set ablaze by the mob. Imran Khan and several other PTI leaders were subsequently booked in cases by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Golra Police Station. They were accused of attacking the police and creating unrest during the Toshakhana case hearing.
