A Lahore court on Friday summoned former prime minister Imran Khan and issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Senator Shibli Faraz in connection with a case involving an alleged assault on Islamabad police personnel.
The case stems from a March 2023 incident outside Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence, where a confrontation erupted between law enforcement and PTI supporters. It was initially registered at the Race Course Police Station.
Judicial Magistrate Suhail Rafiq, presiding over the hearing at Lahore’s Cantt Kutchery, ordered prison authorities to ensure Khan’s appearance at the next hearing. Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases, is currently serving several sentences.
Senator Shibli Faraz, meanwhile, failed to appear before the court despite repeated notices, prompting the issuance of a non-bailable arrest warrant.
The court has adjourned proceedings until July 30.
Background: May 9 Cases Lead to Heavy Sentences
Friday’s development comes in the wake of a broader crackdown on PTI leaders linked to the May 9, 2023, riots. Earlier this week, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) handed down 10-year prison terms to multiple senior party figures, including
- Dr Yasmin Rashid
- Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed
- Omar Sarfraz Cheema (former Punjab governor)
- Senator Ejaz Chaudhry
- Afzal Azeem Pahat
Conversely, some PTI leaders were acquitted in the same case, including:
- Shah Mahmood Qureshi (former foreign minister)
- Hamza Azeem Pahat
- Rana Tanveer
- Aizaz Rafiq
On the same day, another ATC in Sargodha sentenced Ahmed Khan Bachar (Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader), MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and several other PTI workers to 10 years each for involvement in vandalism during the May 9 protests.
These rulings reflect the legal fallout from the violent clashes that followed Imran Khan’s brief arrest in May last year, which led to widespread unrest and damage to public property.
