ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Qaiser in connection with the March 2023 clashes outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC).
The violent confrontation erupted on March 18, 2023, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived at the FJC for a hearing in the first Toshakhana case. During the clashes, which lasted several hours, PTI workers confronted Islamabad police. Khan was subsequently arrested in August 2023 and has remained in custody since then.
On the same day, Punjab police had also entered Khan’s residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, which had been the site of an earlier standoff between law enforcement and PTI supporters.
The hearing on Monday was presided over by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra. Advocate Sardar Masroof Khan, Amna Ali, and others appeared on behalf of the PTI leaders, while Advocate Sardar Muhammad Razzaq represented former Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi.
The court issued a bailable arrest warrant for Qaiser and ordered his production before the ATC. Applications for exemption from appearance were accepted for Elahi, former Finance Minister Asad Umar, and PTI’s Shibli Faraz, who was recently disqualified from his role as Senate opposition leader. The proceedings were adjourned until October 6.
The case, registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department police station under Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, also named Imran Khan. Authorities had written to the law ministry regarding the proceedings against the former premier, and a response was awaited.
The Islamabad Police had, by March 22, 2023, arrested a total of 316 PTI supporters for allegedly attacking officers and creating chaos outside the FJC.
The FIR invoked multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant), 353 (assault to deter public servant), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 440 (mischief committed after preparation for causing death or hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The FIR detailed the involvement of 18 individuals in damaging the FJC building, 22 in damaging the parking area and lighting fires, and 19 in allegedly injuring police officials. Stone-throwing, lighters, and petrol-filled bottles were reportedly recovered from some of the accused.
