On March 18, 2023, former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrival at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) for a hearing in the first Toshakhana case led to several hours of clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and the Islamabad police. This was the same case that led to his arrest in August of that year, and he has remained incarcerated since. On the same day, Punjab police personnel also entered Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore, which had been the site of a tense standoff between police and PTI members just days before.
Today’s hearing was presided over by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra. The legal team for the PTI leaders, including Advocates Sardar Masroof Khan and Amna Ali, were in attendance. Former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi’s counsel, Advocate Sardar Muhammad Razzaq, was also present.
The judge issued a bailable arrest warrant for Qaiser, ordering his production before the court. The applications seeking exemption from appearance for Elahi, former finance minister Asad Umar, and PTI’s Shibli Faraz, who was recently disqualified as the Senate opposition leader, were accepted by the judge. Subsequently, the proceedings were adjourned until October 6.
The case, registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department police station under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997, also named Imran Khan. A letter had been sent to the law ministry regarding the proceedings against the ex-premier, and a response was pending. As of March 22, 2023, the Islamabad Police had arrested a total of 316 PTI supporters for their alleged involvement in attacking police officers and causing chaos outside the FJC.
The case also invoked various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Section 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of an offense committed in prosecution of a common object), 186 (obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their duties), 353 (assault to deter a public servant), 380 (theft in a dwelling house), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to the amount of one hundred rupees), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). The First Information Report (FIR) named 18 individuals involved in causing damage to the FJC, 22 others involved in damaging the FJC’s parking area and setting fires, and 19 others allegedly involved in injuring police officials. It was also noted that stones, lighters, and petrol-filled bottles were recovered from some of the suspects.
