ISLAMABAD: As the hearing of Al-Qadir Trust embezzlement case began at a special court in Police Lines today in Islamabad, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sought 14-day remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
Khan’s legal team was earlier denied permission to meet the party chief ahead of the hearing; however, once the hearing began Khan held discussions during a hearing break with lawyers Khawaja Haris, Faisal Chaudhry, Ali Gohar, and Ali Bukhari.
The former prime minister was arrested on Tuesday by Rangers on the orders of the NAB, an autonomous anti-graft agency, in relation to the Al-Qadir Trust case.
He was then moved to its office in the garrison town of Rawalpindi for questioning.
Later, announcing the reserved verdict on Khan’s arrest, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) said that the arrest was legal; therefore, Khan’s legal team intends to challenge his arrest in the Supreme Court today.
Earlier today, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry filed a petition challenging Khan’s arrest in the Supreme Court amid tight security as heavy police force was deployed outside the apex court as well.
At the outset of the hearing the NAB sought a 14-day physical remand; however, the PTI lawyers opposed the demand.
Special Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood, Deputy Prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi, NAB Prosecutor Sardar Zulqarnain, along with anti-graft watchdog’s investigation officer Mian Umar Nadeem were present at the Islamabad Police Lines.
The NAB prosecutor informed the additional sessions judge that Khan was shown warrants at the time of arrest; however, the PTI chief denied the claims saying that he saw the arrest warrants after reaching NAB office.
Abbasi assured the judges that all important documents will be provided to Khan’s legal team. The judge, taking a break, directed the legal team to hold discussions with Khan as the former complained that the authorities did not allow them to meet Khan before the hearing began.
The hearing then resumed after Khan held discussions with his lawyers. Upon resumption Khawaja Haris argued about the legality of Khan’s arrest.
It should be noted that Khan was not brought to a regular court in the federal capital and his scheduled hearing took place at the location where he was under custody.
The Islamabad chief commissioner earlier said that Khan, instead of being taken to F-8 Court Complex and Judicial Complex G 11/4, will be presented at New Police Guest House, Police Lines — which has been given one-time status of the court for this particular hearing, a notification issued by the Government of Pakistan read.
The decision to present Khan at a special court instead of a NAB court was taken in view of security threats to his life. According to sources, the PTI chief was shifted to an unknown place late at night from NAB’s office.
“[…] the Provincial Government, as a one-time dispensation, is pleased to declare New Police Guest House, Police Lines Headquarters H 11/1, Islamabad, the venue for hearing of case titled ‘District Election Commissioner Vs Imran Khan Niazi’ and for the appearance of Mr Imran Khan Niazi before Honorable Judge Accountability Court – I, Islamabad on 10th May 2023, instead of F-8 Court Complex, Islamabad and Judicial Complex G 11/4, Islamabad,” notification issued by the provincial government, ICT read.
It should be noted that entry access to special court has only been granted to people according to the court list, while the permission for coverage depends on the judges.
