Lahore: The High Court extended the order to stop the Zaman Park operation at Imran Khan’s residence till three in the afternoon and adjourned the hearing.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard Fawad Chaudhry’s request to stop the Zaman Park operation. IG Punjab, Advocate General Punjab Shan Gul, Asad Umar and Umar Ayub also reached the High Court.
When the hearing started, Fawad Chaudhry came to the rostrum and said that in the last two days you have saved Pakistan and Lahore from crisis, people’s lives have been saved by your intervention. Yesterday I met the IG on the court order and discussed three issues.
Advocate General Punjab said that IG Punjab also played a good role.
Fawad Chaudhry said that we met the IG Punjab and Chief Secretary Punjab yesterday, we discussed the security of Imran Khan, on which the Punjab government has said that we will provide security to Imran Khan as per the law. The second issue was about Sunday’s rally. We will hold a rally on Monday in Lahore and we will not take out a rally while we will inform the administration five days before the rally.
He said that Imran Khan’s security bond has been filed and we request the IG not to arrest our workers.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked that action should be taken against those who committed rape from this side or from the other side and now that the cameras are installed, the face can be seen clearly. There is a legal issue in all your words, there are two issues that the matter is in the Islamabad High Court and the trial court, how can we hear the security bond at this stage.
Lawyer Imran Khan said that we want Imran Khan to come to you for security, to which Justice Tariq Saleem Shaikh said that the case may not come to me.
Fawad Chaudhry said that Imran Khan is ready to go to court even today and will be ready tomorrow too, people have been injured on both sides, we want them not to make these arrests. Justice Taq Salim Shaikh remarked that he cannot interfere in this matter, cameras are installed to identify people and take legal action.
IG Punjab said that we have decided that Tehreek-e-Insaf will have a focal person and we have said that no area will be allowed to become a no-go area.
The court while talking to Fawad Chaudhry said that if you people do not get security then you should apply to the IG which is a procedure and if you are not satisfied then you can approach the courts. Containers are not suitable, we should use them for export, do whatever you want and apply regularly.
Fawad Chaudhry said that three important issues were discussed, the first issue was related to the security of Imran Khan and we showed reservations on only 133 policemen. PTI will hold a meeting on Monday instead of Sunday and the request of Additional Secretary Home should not be accepted.
The court remarked that whoever committed the rape should be brought to the fore, to which Fawad Chaudhry said, “We want the police to take action against the rapists.” The court remarked that action should be taken on both sides, whichever is the excess, Fawad Chaudhry said that Imran Khan should be allowed to come to the Lahore High Court through a safe route.
IG Punjab said that we want there to be no hurdles if we conduct a search operation, to which Fawad Chaudhry said that they have named 2500 unknown persons in a case, they should first verify the people from the cameras and Nominate them otherwise they will take over the whole of Lahore.
Fawad Chaudhry said that we have filed applications for Imran Khan’s protective bail. The court remarked that if a request for permission to access the Lahore High Court comes, it will be reviewed.
IG Punjab said that after the search warrant comes, we should be allowed to take legal action, if the search warrant comes, we should talk to their committee and they should be instructed to implement it.
The court remarked that the law has a solution to all your concerns, which in a civilized world should be brought before the court.
Justice Tariq Saleem Shaikh asked that you explain how the non-bailable warrant of arrest will be complied with. President Lahore High Court bar Ishtiaq A Khan said that there are two ways, I took the undertaking to the CCPO. The lawyer said that the procedure for compliance of arrest warrant has been given in the law, arrest warrant will be taken by the enforcer and will be complied with. The court remarked that if there are obstacles, then how the arrest warrant will be executed.
IG Punjab said that if we have to comply with the search warrant, then the court should issue an order on that too. Advocate General Punjab said that the police do not have access to Zaman Park to complete legal matters.
Fawad Chaudhry said that they are seeking permission to arrest people, they have registered an FIR against 2500 people.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim said that two non-bailable warrants have been issued, one against Imran Khan and one against Rana Sanaullah, IG Punjab, tell why the warrant of Rana Sanaullah was not complied with, the police in this case. Malice is involved and I assure Imran Khan will appear here.
The court remarked that suppose a summons came from a civil judge, how would you comply with it? Lawyer Imran Khan said that there is a compliance law, the address written on the arrest warrant, the enforcer will go to the relevant address and if the accused is not present at the relevant address, then the enforcer will inform the court.
Justice Tariq Saleem remarked that what I am saying is if the compliant has reached the canal and there are obstructions, to which the lawyer said that if the accused deliberately does not receive the warrant, then the court has admissibility. There is an option to declare. Justice Tariq remarked that this law will apply only when the enforcer reaches the house of the accused, but here the situation is different.
IG Punjab said that there has been an incident in which petrol bombs have gone off, are we allowed to go to the scene and collect evidence, are SSP or DIG Operations allowed to go to the scene, the court Issue a warrant so we can collect evidence from the crime scene.
The court remarked that whether or not the warrant will be complied with will be decided when the process server reaches the relevant place, which does not go beyond the canal and does not happen in civilized nations.
IG Punjab said that we have to visit the crime scene and we should be allowed, to which Fawad Chaudhry said that we give him permission.
Justice Tariq Saleem Shaikh remarked that what happened, you have registered two cases in which there are 3 thousand unknown names. He asked the IG Punjab to tell him how he would ensure that there would be no retaliation in the investigation.
IG Punjab said that we assure the court that there will be an investigation on merit and no innocent will be implicated. Justice Tariq Saleem said how will you satisfy them, to which the IG said I guarantee there will be no retaliation.
The court inquired that if this is a special case, how will you ensure merit? The IG said that I cannot take permission from anyone before arrest, it is my right, but I assure that there will be no revenge, make him a focal person and discuss with him. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked that all of you should sit down and find a solution to the problem.
IG Punjab said that whatever we do, we will tell the court that there will be no retaliation and whoever we arrest will be dealt with according to law. The court inquired how you will satisfy them and how you will bring transparency in the whole matter.
The IG said that I will not take permission from them that such and such a person has hurled a petrol bomb on the police, we are going to arrest him. The court inquired that there is a general impression that in an unknown case, whoever will be picked up.
Fawad Chaudhry said that cases are being registered against us every day, we are not able to carry out our campaign, but our daily life. We sit down with the IG on the arrest and settle it. IG Punjab clearly said that I will not sit with anyone on the issue of arrest, it will not happen that we sit with the accused and discuss who should be arrested and who should not be arrested.
IG Punjab pleaded that the court is requested to take a decision on the arrest warrant. Justice Tariq Saleem remarked that he will decide at three o’clock.
The court adjourned the further hearing till three o’clock.
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