Lahore (Web Desk) The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday said that its order to postpone police operation at Zaman Park, to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, will remain in force till Friday.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh of the LHC issued the written order and at the request of the lawyers of the parties, adjourned the hearing of the case till tomorrow.
“On the request of the learned counsel for the petitioner, this case is adjourned to 17.03.2023. Injuctive orders passed yesterday shall remain in force till then,” the court said in its written order.
During the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked that the lack of understanding of the law was the cause of the issue.
He highlighted that adherence to the rule of law could resolve the current impasse.
The judge went on to emphasise that all solutions to such problems could be found in the Constitution.
Justice Sheikh also lamented that the entire system “had been jammed” by the opposing parties.
“Sometimes you appear in this court, and at other times you turn up in the Islamabad High Court,” he commented.
The judge also advised that both parties [police and PTI] needed to follow the law and reminded them that the entire nation had been affected by the ongoing situation.
The LHC order comes come at a time when Islamabad Police, backed by Punjab Police and Rangers had resumed efforts, which began on Tuesday, to arrest Imran Khan in connection with the Toshkhana case.
The former premier has skipped indictment several times, which led to the judge issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant for him.
Meanwhile, the LHC restrained the PTI leadership from holding a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan citing the ongoing law and order situation
Presiding over the hearing Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked that the current situation in the provincial capital had “tarnished the image of Pakistan across the world”.
The judge then slammed the PTI for not planning its public gathering ahead of time and said that if they wanted to hold a jalsa, then the preparations should have begun 15 days prior.
"For God's sake, let the people live their routine lives. Your rally will not take place this Sunday. Even if a person gets married, they plan ahead," Justice Sheikh said.
Meanwhile, the court also directed the PTI leadership to hold a meeting with Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar and the additional chief secretary to reach a consensus over their concerns that include “implementation of Imran Khan's non-bailable arrest warrant, security plan and imposition of Section 144”.
Islamabad police and anti-riot force were locked in 2-day-long day standoff with PTI activists after continued violent clashes near Zaman Park as officers move forward in a desperate attempt to arrest the former premier.
On Tuesday, a contingent of the Islamabad police, along with armoured vehicles, reached in the city to arrest former premier Imran Khan after an Islamabad court on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for him in Toshakhana case.
DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari was leading the police party that has surrounded Imran Khan’s residence.
As per the reports, PTI supporters pelted stones at police officials as they began baton-charging the crowds, turning Zaman Park into a battleground.
As the capital force and Punjab police had to pull back, Rangers personnel entered into the scene to avert the extreme situation.
PTI supporters clashed repeatedly with police overnight while Khan remained holed up in his Zaman Park residence, defying attempts to arrest him. Meanwhile, the law enforcers had also arrested the PTI workers.
