PTV attack case: Court directs police to arrest Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri

Islamabad: An anti-terrorist court in Islamabad on Friday directed the Pakistan Police to implement its orders with regard to the arrest warrants issued against Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri in the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters attack case.

ATC judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi who presided over today`s hearing, inquired as to why the police had not been able to submit an implementation report on the court`s arrest orders, reports the Dawn.

Expressing displeasure over the police`s failure to submit the implementation report, the judge directed the authorities to carry out the arrests of Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri and 68 others by November 17 and present them in front of the court on the said date.

70 people were booked after a mob of protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and PAT stormed PTV headquarters and forced its staff to take two of the state broadcaster`s flagship channels - Pakistan Television News and PTV World - off the air on September 1, 2014.

According to eyewitnesses, nearly 400 Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and PAT workers had stormed the Pakistan Television building, across the road from the main entrance to the Pakistan Secretariat. 

Transmission was restored shortly after noon as the occupying force dispersed peacefully, shouting pro-army slogans and hugging military and paramilitary personnel who arrived at the scene.

The protesters were also charged with attacking government properties including the Parliament House building.

The incidents took place during the 2014 sit-ins staged by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and PAT members and supporters, with both parties calling on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down.

Today`s hearing comes at the heels of PTI`s planned siege of the capital city on November 2, that is aimed at pressuring the government to take concrete measures to address the party`s concerns over Panama Papers.

The party has also submitted a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking Prime Minister Nawaz`s disqualification.