The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday refused to exercise its inherent power to quash criminal case registered against former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan under terrorism charges saying the accused should join the police investigation otherwise the law will take its own course.
During last month, Islamabad Police has registered an First Information Report (FIR) under terrorism charges against Imran Khan over alleged spawning fear and panic among police authorities, Additional District & Session Judge East Islamabad Ms. Zeba Choudhary and public. A Magistrate of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, Ali Javed became complainant in the matter while making several assertions of Imran Khan speech as part of his complaint.
Imran Khan has filed an application before the IHC seeking quashment of the FIR in the matter. It is pertinent to mention that under section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, High Court is competent to quash proceedings even at the stage when challan has not yet reached Court and is under scrutiny with the prosecution branch.
During the proceedings, division bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Ms Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz was apprised that Investigating Officer (IO) had not been granted access to Imran Khan, hindering the legal process despite having served the notice.
The Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed while addressing to Imran Khan’s counsel Salman Safdar that Police uniforms to be respected as they are symbols of the state, adding the accused person in the matter should cooperate with the Police.
Responding to the court observation, Advocate Salman Safdar submitted that three further offenses have been added to the FIR and alleged the case has been registered against Imran Khan with malafide intentions on behalf of the government.
However, the Chief Justice Minallah observed one must have faith in the system of the State saying rule of law implementation is subject to obedience of the law. Preventing the police from submitting a challan against Imran Khan, the court directed police to submit an investigation report to the court. CJ Minallah also directed the IO to inform the court whether terrorism charges are applicable or not.
After the counsel Salman Safdar assured that Imran Khan will join the ongoing investigation the bench adjourned hearing of the matter till September 15.
