- ATC demanded the reasons from DIG operations for search warrants issued for Khan’s residence, Zaman Park.
LARHORE: The anti-terrorism court in Lahore has called upon the DIG operations to clarify the reasons behind the search warrants issued for Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park. Imran Khan is the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The warrants were issued on May 18 but have been challenged by the PTI Chairman.
During the proceedings, Commissioner Lahore, DC Lahore, and other officials appeared before Judge Abhar Gull in the ATC court. The judge inquired about the officials’ visit to Imran Khan’s residence, and the commissioner responded by stating that they had not executed the search warrant yet. The commissioner argued that they had visited Zaman Park to remove encroachments, claiming that Imran Khan had given his consent for their removal.
Judge Demanded DIG Operations Appearance in Person
The judge questioned whether the police needed the search warrant, and the Investigation Officer (IO) replied that they needed some time to consult before providing further answers. The judge then adjourned the proceedings temporarily and summoned the DIG Operations to appear in person.
It is important to note that on May 18, the government team had insisted on searching the entire premises without any household member present, but the former premier demanded the implementation of the Lahore High Court’s order. According to Imran Khan, who spoke to the media after the government team left his residence, the Lahore High Court had permitted that “there will be one person from their side and one from ours, along with a female officer.”
The authorities removed encroachments in Zaman Park following the visit of the team led by the Lahore commissioner. Additionally, they called back the police officials deployed in the area.
The government team, consisting of Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, DCO Rafia Haider, DIG Police Operations Sadiq Ali Dogar, SSP Sohaib Ashraf, and accompanied by search warrants, entered Zaman Park and held a meeting with Imran Khan to define the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the search operation. The team spent a significant amount of time inside the premises but failed to reach an agreement.
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