ATC Orders Authorities to Produce Imran Khan at Next Hearing

An anti-terrorism court has directed authorities to produce PTI founder Imran Khan at the next hearing of the Federal Judicial Complex attack case, either in person or through video link. The court also declared several PTI leaders proclaimed offenders and issued arrest warrants for two others.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad issued the directions on Monday while hearing the case registered at Ramna Police Station over the March 2023 clashes at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC).

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra ordered the relevant authorities to ensure Imran Khan appears before the court at the next hearing. The court adjourned further proceedings until November 5.

PTI Leaders Declared Proclaimed Offenders

The court declared former federal ministers Farrukh Habib, Hammad Azhar and Murad Saeed, along with former senator Shibli Faraz, proclaimed offenders after they failed to appear before the court.

Judge Sipra also directed authorities to provide details of the assets owned by the four proclaimed offenders.

The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Wasiq Qayyum and PTI MPA Hassan Khan Niazi.

Case Relates to March 2023 FJC Clashes

The case relates to clashes between police and PTI supporters on March 18, 2023, when Imran Khan appeared at the Federal Judicial Complex for proceedings in the Toshakhana case.

Islamabad police alleged that PTI workers attacked the judicial complex with stones and set fire to a police post. PTI, however, accused police of shelling Imran Khan’s vehicle during the confrontation.

The Islamabad High Court’s official records list Tahir Abbas Sipra as the judge of Anti-Terrorism Court-II.