Toshakhana case: IHC suspends Imran Khan's arrest warrant till March 13.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday suspended the arrest warrants of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq, while accepting Imran Khan's plea against Additional Session Judge Zafar Iqbal's decision, pronounced the reserved verdict.

The court also directed Mr Khan to ensure that he appears before the lower court on March 13.

Earlier today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had reserved the verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's petition against the non-bailable arrest warrants issued for him in the Toshakhana case. Mr Khan had moved the IHC to rescind the warrants issued by a sessions court due to his multiple absences from appearing before the court to save indictment earlier today.

His lawyer argued that he could not appear before the court because the day he was summoned by the sessions court was the day when Mr Khan had to appear before three other courts. The court subsequently issued arrest warrants for him followed by the capital police's attempts to arrest him.

Justice Amir Farooq inquired what would happen if he rescinded the warrants. 'The court has summoned him for indictment only as the law has to be acted upon', he remarked. How else the court should summon him, he inquired further. Mr Khan should seek exemption after indictment if he willed, he remarked.

IHC chief justice Amir Farooq inquired when Mr Khan would appear for indictment. Could you inform the court after consultation with the PTI chairman, he implored. He remarked that Mr Khan had to appear before the IHC on March 9, so he could also appear before the other court. Apprise me of a date for indictment so I may write to the trial court of the date, he remarked.

He remarked that everyone was facing security threats here and not just Mr Khan.

PTI chief's lawyer argued that Mr Khan would appear within four weeks before the sessions court. The CJ remarked that it was not practical and it meant Mr Khan would not appear before the IHC on Thursday too. Then let the IHC apprise the sessions court that it must bring Mr Khan under trial as an absconder, he...