IHC directs counsel to approach LHC
The judge of Attock court has disposed of the bail petition filed by the lawyers of detained journalist Imran Riaz Khan and referred the case to the court in jurisdiction of federal investigation agency.
Attock Police on Tuesday evening arrested Senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan from Islamabad Toll Plaza and was shifted to Attock city Police station as a case was registered against the him on June 25 under section 505-1(C ), 505 (2), 501, 109 Pakistan Penal Code and six different sections of prevention of electronic crimes act 2016 over the complaint of Malik Mureed Abass.
The journalist was presented before the court of civil judge Yasir Tanveer and lawyers demanded some time for arguments and the court was adjourned till 2 PM. Later when the journalist was presented before judge, heated arguments were exchanged between the state counsel and Mian Ali Ashfaque, the lawyer of Imran Riaz Khan. During proceedings, Mr Ali questioned about the absence complainant.
The learned civil judge Yasir Tanveer also asked the prosecutor about the where about of the complainant. The prosecutor expressed his ignorance. The learned judge further asked what derogatory words has anchor Imran Riaz Khan used and why the concerned institute was not lodging an FIR but the prosecutor could not reply positively.
Later the court in his verdict directed the Police to present the arrested journalist before the court hearing cases of FIA as sections lodged in the FIR are not in his jurisdiction. When the journalist was presented in the court he was remain handcuffed. PTI member national assembly Tahir Sadiq was also present in the court during the proceedings.
Earlier the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the counsel of Imran Riaz Khan to approach Lahore High Court (LHC) over arrest of the journalist.
Chief Justice of IHC Athar Minallah, while conducting hearing on contempt of court plea over the arrest, remarked that the journalist was taken into custody from Attock which does not fall under jurisdiction of this court.
