SC bars PTI Chairman’s arrest in lawyer murder case till August 9

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) on Monday barred authorities from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in Abdul Razzaq Shar Advocate murder case.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Yahya Afridi including Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali was hearing the plea of the former prime minister.

On Monday, the Inspector General (IG) of Balochistan Police submitted the investigation report of the lawyer’s murder case to the Supreme Court, which included statements from the deceased’s wife and two brothers.

The IG  informed the Supreme Court of Pakistan that PTI Chairman  did not comply with several notices to join the investigation in the Advocate Razzaq Shar murder case.

Representing the Balochistan government during the hearing, the lawyer urged the court to issue an order demanding Imran Khan’s appearance before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

However, Justice Yahya Afridi stated that the court would not issue such an order at this juncture. Subsequently, the judge inquired about the whereabouts of the petitioner, Imran Khan.

Advocate Latif Khosa, who was representing Imran Khan, promptly responded that his client was present in the courtroom.

Following the exchange, the court made a significant decision by instructing the police not to arrest Imran Khan until August 9. Additionally, the court adjourned the hearing for a later date.

On June 6, Advocate Abdul Razzaq Shar was specifically ‘targeted’ and killed by unknown assailants while he was on his way to Balochistan High Court (BHC).

He was involved in a high-profile petition against the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) .

Later, a case had been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman  in Shaheed Jameel Kakar Police Station, in Quetta over murder of drive-by shooting of Abdul Razzaq Shar.

Police included clauses of the murder including the provisions of act of murder and terrorism.