In a significant development, a district and sessions court has granted approval for the production of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in court. The court directive mandates their appearance on April 20 in connection with the Parliament attack case.
During the hearing presided over by Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas, concerns were raised regarding the alleged non-compliance of the Superintendent of Adiala jail with court orders. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjotha, highlighted the challenges faced in ensuring Khan’s presence, including excuses made by jail authorities and the absence of the PTI founder even for video link hearings.
Panjotha emphasized the necessity of Khan’s physical presence in court, despite the option of video link attendance. He cited precedents where such arrangements were deemed acceptable, urging the court to intervene and enforce Khan’s appearance.
However, the judicial magistrate noted the security concerns surrounding Khan’s transportation from Adiala jail to the courtroom. This follows a previous petition by Panjotha, which was rejected due to similar security apprehensions expressed by Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi.
Panjotha reiterated Khan’s history of voluntary court appearances and argued that ensuring security during transit falls under the government’s jurisdiction. The legal team further emphasized the importance of Khan’s presence for a fair trial.
Despite these arguments, the judicial magistrate maintained the decision to reject the plea, citing concerns over bail attendance requirements and potential security risks during transit.
This latest development underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, highlighting the complexities of ensuring due process while addressing security challenges in high-profile cases.
