By ABDULLAH 
A Lahore judicial court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for PTI Senator Shibli Faraz and summoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with a case involving an alleged confrontation with Islamabad police outside Zaman Park in 2023.
The court action stems from an incident in March 2023, when a police team from Islamabad visited Imran Khan’s residence in Lahore to arrest him over his absence in the Toshakhana reference proceedings. However, the team reportedly faced threats, resistance, and harassment from PTI supporters.
According to the FIR lodged at Race Course Police Station, SHO Nadeem Tahir of the Islamabad Secretariat Police claimed that Imran Khan, with Shibli Faraz and around 150 PTI workers, obstructed law enforcement officers from carrying out their legal duties.
Judicial Magistrate Sohail Rafique, who is currently overseeing the case, issued a direct order for Shibli Faraz’s arrest and sent a summons to Adiala Jail authorities to ensure Imran Khan is produced in court on July 30.
Reports state that when the Islamabad police attempted to arrest Imran Khan, Shibli Faraz allegedly told them that Khan was “not present” at his residence. However, later that same day, Imran Khan addressed his supporters from Zaman Park, contradicting Faraz’s statement. The police responded by stating they would pursue legal action against Senator Faraz for providing misleading information.
This case adds to the legal troubles currently facing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership. Just earlier this month, multiple senior PTI members received 10-year sentences from anti-terrorism courts in Lahore and Sargodha in connection with the May 9 riots.
In a related development, 13 PTI workers were recently sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by an Islamabad court for their participation in the November 2023 “Final Call” protest.