Imran Khan's arrest warrant suspended as former premier arrives in court

A supporter of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan guards Mr Khan's residence in Lahore on March 17, 2023. AFP

A prime Pakistani courtroom on Friday suspended an arrest warrant for former prime minister Imran Khan to present him a reprieve to journey to Islamabad and face prices in a graft case with out being detained.

Mr Khan has been holed up at his dwelling within the japanese metropolis of Lahore since Tuesday, after failing to seem at an earlier listening to within the case. His supporters hurled stones and clashed with baton-wielding police for 2 days to guard the previous premier from arrest.

Mr Khan, now in opposition, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament final April. He's accused of promoting state items whereas in workplace and concealing property. The case is considered one of a number of the previous cricket star turned Islamist politician is dealing with since he was ousted.

He's now due in courtroom on Saturday, after Aamer Farooq, the chief justice on the Islamabad Excessive Court docket, suspended the warrant within the graft case. The courtroom on Friday additionally warned Mr Khan that he may face contempt proceedings if he once more fails to indicate up earlier than the decide.

The previous premier has averted courtroom appearances since November when he was wounded in a gun assault at a protest rally in japanese Punjab province. Mr Khan nonetheless enjoys an enormous grassroots following and has campaigned for early elections.

The 70-year-old opposition chief has additionally claimed that his removing from energy was a part of a conspiracy by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and america. Each Washington and Mr Sharif’s authorities have denied the allegations.

Friday's suspension of the warrant was welcomed by Mr Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf occasion.

“Imran Khan will come to Islamabad to seem earlier than the courtroom," stated Shibli Faraz, a celebration chief.

Supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan escort autos as Mr Khan leaves to seem earlier than the Lahore Excessive Court docket. March 17, 2023. Reuters

After the suspension, a jubilant Mr Khan and an entourage of cheering supporters marched right into a prime courtroom in Lahore, the place they're anticipated to hunt reprieves from doable future warrants associated to different instances Mr Khan is embroiled in. Most of them contain prices of incitement to violence.

Tensions have been excessive in Lahore since Tuesday when the clashes first erupted outdoors Mr Khan's residence within the upmarket Zaman Park neighbourhood. Mr Khan's supporters threw petrol bombs on the officers, who fired tear gasoline and water cannon.

Maryam Sharif, a prime chief in Mr Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League occasion, criticised Mr Khan on Friday for resisting arrest and lauded the safety forces for his or her restraint.

“The state can arrest him in 5 minutes, nevertheless it exercised restraint to keep away from bloodshed,” she stated.