ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani court on Wednesday rejected the exemption plea of former prime minister Imran Khan in a case in which he is accused of threatening a woman judge while issuing non-bailable arrest warrants to ensure his court appearance on April 18, reported the local media.
Khan was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote last year in April. Since then, the 70-year-old politician has become embroiled in more than 100 cases against him, including one for “terrorizing” Judge Zeba Chaudhry for remanding his aide, Dr. Shehbaz Gill, in police custody.
The Islamabad police registered the case against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act for telling a public rally last August that he would “take action” against Chaudhry. Khan was summoned by the court in the case for the first time on October 1, after which he managed to secure a bail. His requests for exemption from attending the case were approved by the court on January 24, January 26, February 9, and March 13. The case has adjourned 12 times until now, but Khan has not made a court appearance to face the charges even once.
“An Islamabad court on Wednesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] Chairman Imran Khan in a case related to alleged threats made to a judge and directed the authorities to present him before the court on April 18,” Dawn newspaper reported.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Khan’s lawyers requested the court to retain his bailable arrest warrant, citing security threats to his client’s life. The court, however, decided to issue non-bailable warrants due to the ex-premier’s continuous absence.
“Multiple immunity pleas and non-appearance mean Imran Khan doesn’t want to face trial,” the court said.
Khan is also facing other legal cases on charges of sedition, incitement to violence and graft while he was in the office.