LHC issues arrest warrant for Islamabad police IG

LAHORE: In a significant development on Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued an arrest warrant for Islamabad Police Inspector General Dr Akbar Nasir Khan in a contempt case.

The arrest warrant was issued on a contempt plea filed against the Islamabad police IG over the arrest arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi despite his release orders by the court.

The LHC issued the warrant after the top police official failed to make an appearance before the court in response to a show-cause notice.

The court has directed the law enforcement agencies to apprehend the federal capital’s top cop and present him in court on September 18.

LHC judge Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf, in a written order, issued the arrest warrant on the petition filed by Parvez Elahi’s wife, Qaisara.

This warrant follows a previous show-cause notice for contempt of court that had been issued to IG Dr Khan last week in connection with the detention of Parvez Elahi under 3-MPO (Maintenance of Public Order).

The LHC had originally summoned the Islamabad police chief to appear before the court on September 8, the summons that were not complied with.

Last month, Elahi was rearrested by the Islamabad Capital Territory police shortly after being released by the National Accountability Bureau.

Subsequently, the politician was placed under house arrest in Adiala jail for the next 15 days.

Notably, the arrest occurred despite the LHC’s restraining order against the possibility of his detention.

Subsequently, the former Punjab chief minister sought contempt proceedings against the Islamabad police IG in the LHC.

Elahi’s initial arrest on June 1 was related to a Rs70 million graft case involving the alleged embezzlement of development funds designated for the Gujrat district.

Since then, the PTI leader has faced various charges and has been released multiple times on court orders, only to be rearrested promptly on each occasion.

His arrest was part of a broader crackdown launched on the party’s leadership following the May 9 riots.