An Islamabad anti-terrorism court has ordered authorities to produce incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan at the next hearing of a case concerning the 2023 unrest outside the Federal Judicial Complex.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued the direction during Monday’s proceedings, while also taking action concerning several other PTI leaders accused in the case.
The case dates back to March 2023, when clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police outside the Judicial Complex as Khan arrived for a hearing in the Toshakhana case. Police subsequently registered cases alleging violence, vandalism and attacks on law-enforcement personnel.
Monday’s proceedings also saw PTI leaders Hammad Azhar and Shibli Faraz declared proclaimed offenders, according to the Geo News report. The court additionally issued non-bailable arrest warrants for a former Punjab Assembly speaker.
The order requiring Khan’s production is significant because he remains incarcerated and has been appearing in several legal proceedings through arrangements involving jail authorities or remote hearings.
His legal situation continues to involve multiple cases and appeals. Some earlier convictions have been suspended or overturned, while other proceedings remain pending before different courts.
The Judicial Complex case emerged during a period of intense political confrontation following Khan’s removal from office in April 2022. The March 2023 clashes occurred as large numbers of PTI supporters gathered around the court during his appearance, leading to confrontations with security personnel.
Investigators subsequently summoned Khan and several senior PTI figures as part of inquiries into the violence.
The latest ATC direction does not determine Khan’s guilt or innocence in the case. It requires authorities to ensure his presence at the next hearing so proceedings can move forward.
The timing is politically significant as PTI is simultaneously conducting its long march towards Islamabad and demanding greater access to Khan for party leaders.
PTI has argued that meaningful political negotiations with the federal government cannot progress without consultation with its imprisoned founder. The government and PTI remain divided over the party’s mobilisation and wider security policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The court proceedings, however, remain a separate judicial matter.
Attention will now turn to whether authorities physically produce Khan before the ATC at the next hearing and what further orders are issued concerning the other PTI leaders named in the case.
