‘Attacks on courts’: Govt forms JIT to probe cases against Imran Khan

• 'Attack on judicial complex aimed at stopping courts from functioning.'
• JIT to complete its investigations in 14 days, security czar says.
• Probe team will present a challan in the courts, says Sanaullah.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has announced that a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) is set up to probe four cases filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and his supporters for allegedly attacking courts and law enforcers, vandalism and stopping the court from functioning.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the security czar said that the JIT is headed by Additional Inspector General of Police Special Branch Punjab Zulfiqar Hameed, comprising representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Military Intelligence (MI) and DIG Headquarters Islamabad Awais Ahmad.

The interior minister accused Khan of attacking the Federal Judicial Complex with the support of “armed gangs” on February 28 to hinder the courts’ proceedings in connection with Toshakhana, foreign funding and Tyrian White cases.

The PTI’s supporters broke the main gate, entered the judicial complex forcefully and vandalised the courts. A case was filed in this regard under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other charges at Islamabad’s Ramna police station.

The same scenes were witnessed when the PTI chief arrived at the IHC and a separate FIR was registered at the police station under terrorism charges.

On March 18, Khan, along with armed gangs arrived at the judicial complex and attacked the law enforcers. The PTI leader, however, failed to enter the judicial complex at that time. Several police officials and civilians sustained injuries when the PTI’s supporters attacked them.

Two separate cases were registered against the deposed prime minister and the PTI workers at Islamabad’s Counter-Terrorism Department police station and Golra police station in this regard.

Sanaullah further said that the JIT has been tasked with probing the cases, adding that the team will complete its investigations within 14 days and present a challan in the courts.