Court cancels PTI chief's warrants after clashes.

ISLAMABAD -- After a long day of clashes that brought life in Islamabad to a standstill and left many gasping for breath, the trial court hearing the Toshakhana reference against Imran Khan cancelled the former premier's arrest warrants and adjourned the hearing till March 30 after marking his attendance.

As the former prime minister arrived in the capital for the hearing, the police and PTI supporters clashed several times at different locations, resulting in injuries to at least 25 people as a result of violence which witnessed a liberal use of teargas, batons, and rocks.

The party supporters also burnt down a police post as they scuttled all attempts by the police to keep them at the bay. The violence which started with the entry of Imran Khan in Islamabad lasted till his return to Lahore. The clashes also became the reason that the court allowed Mr Khan to go back after marking his attendance and asked him to appear in the courtroom on March 30.

At the next hearing, the court will hear the application against the maintainability of the complaint filed by the ECP.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal was scheduled to indict Mr Khan in the Toshakhana case. However, he deferred the proceedings due to a law and order situation and scuffles between the police and PTI activists. Advocate Babar Awan requested the court to adjourn the proceedings, as the situation was 'going out of control'.

Subsequently, the judge directed his staff to mark Mr Khan's attendance at the main entrance to the Federal Judicial Complex which was treated as his physical appearance in the courtroom. However, the order of the court sent to the main gate of the complex went 'missing' and the police and PTI leaders accused each other of missing the document.

Curfew at judicial complex

There was a curfew-like situation around the Federal Judicial Complex ahead of Mr Khan's arrival. The police allocated only one entry point at Srinagar Highway to access the FJC.

When Mr Khan's convoy reached Kallar Kahar, the Islamabad police also suspended the Metro Bus Service from Peshawar More to Airport.

The PTI workers and the police had a scuffle at the entry point of the complex where the latter fired teargas in response to stone pelting by the former on the officials. The police decided to allow Mr Khan's vehicle to enter the complex for his appearance before the judge whose court was shifted from F-8 Markaz to the FJC by the order of the chief commissioner.

Mr Khan...