Islamabad ATC issues arrest warrants for Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri and others on Tuesday in a case relating to the attack on Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo.

SSP Junejo was wounded on Sep 1, 2014, in a clash with PTI and PAT protesters when they stormed the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and the precincts of the Parliament.

A case was registered against Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri and others for torturing SSP Junejo and five other police official in Police Station Secretariat of Islamabad.

ATC judge Sohail Ikram Zaidi issued arrest warrants for Khan, Qadri and other PAT and PTI workers for not appearing before the court despite repeated notices.

The court also directed Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Idrees Rathore to comply with the orders and arrest the accused.

It is pertinent to mention here that Imran Khan and Tahir Ul Qadri had already been declared absconder in the case by ATC on November 14, 2014 for not appearing before the court.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Zero-sum dharna

Déjà vu as Imran Khan plans another Red Zone rally

ATCs too busy trying ‘terrorists’ like Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri

Moiz

May 31, 2016 11:29am

Doesn't the judge know that Imran and Qadri are above the law? no matter how much chaos they spread or what so so called revolution they plan or how much public property damage they cause, they won't be challenged. Not appearing to the court hardly compares.

Recommend 0

Nadim

May 31, 2016 11:32am

No case against Model town perpetrators for massacring 13 people. This Govt doesn’t have the guts to arrest Imran and TQD.

Recommend 0

Abdulla Hussaun

May 31, 2016 11:32am

Wow! Where are we heading instead of issuing such warrant to public killers warrant is being issued against peaceful leaders.

Recommend 0

karachi Wally

May 31, 2016 11:32am

Govt has to decide whether they want to victimize opposition leader or wants to take the country forward.

Recommend 0

Spooky

May 31, 2016 11:34am

Courts or political drama theater. These court never arrest or sentence people who really rob the country and write off billion of rupees of poor people tax money. The day time robber and murder roaming around free in capital. But only looking for soft target to appease their master for gaining points. God bless the people of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Tariq Amir

May 31, 2016 11:37am

Very strange that IK, the person who lectures us daily on the supremacy of law is not appearing before the court. It is indeed the weakness of the state that the persons who attacked an institution like PTV are still out of jail.

Recommend 0

khi96

May 31, 2016 11:43am

Do we have any sensible ATCs, the purpose of ATCs is to deal with terrorism activities not the civil ones. Case seems politically motivated.

Recommend 0

AHMED YAAR

May 31, 2016 11:54am

IK and arrest warrants? IK doesnt care about any instructions and violates every public policy and makes gatherings in Sensitive areas whenever he wanst and if anyone tries to stop him he creates violence. And you are saying to present him in court.

Recommend 0

M. Malik

May 31, 2016 12:20pm

Political vendetta, and snuffing out all opposition. That's what London-based PML-N government is up to! Or will the claim no knowledge of this move??

Recommend 0

Pink Noise

May 31, 2016 12:26pm

Justice must be served

Recommend 0

Mangal

May 31, 2016 12:29pm

Yes true! they are the real criminals in Pakistan. People who have ruled this country for decades are saints.

Recommend 0

Adnan

May 31, 2016 12:56pm

Please stop fooling the nation.

Recommend 0

Kaleem

May 31, 2016 01:35pm

IK is not above law, his guys penetrated into PTV. He should have atleast apologized publicly and helped in arrest of his party members.

Recommend 0

Naya Moon

May 31, 2016 01:51pm

IK always challenge PML n to take action against Aleem khan, JT and other corrupts and not defame them. IK knows that if action is taken against these corrupt mafia then IK and his blind followers will shout out about political victimization. The truth of the matter is that nobody here in Pakistan wants justice and doesn't want himself to be investigated by courts. IK is same and considers himself above the law and pious of all matters.

Recommend 0

Javed abbasi-USA

May 31, 2016 01:51pm

Lecturer of law enforcement is breaking the laws of country and attacking public institutions? So sorry state for PTI

Recommend 0

Hassan

May 31, 2016 01:54pm

IK and law abiding ability? Are you joking? even with arrest warrants he and his followers dont care and feel proud of violence. The violent behaviors of PTI coupled with non-performance in KPK is fast drowning the image of PTI and results are showing it. In Baanu Crowd made IK embarrassed, Peshawar, Baluchistan too supported PML N and now whole Pakistan is seeing the progress of Pakistan and drowning of KPK.

Recommend 0

M. Saeed Awan

May 31, 2016 01:58pm

If Imran and Qadri think that Dharna and storming PTV was good for the people of Pakistan. Then they should face the charges bravely. Otherwise apology is best option as Imran has often taken Uturns in several issues.

Recommend 0

Sun Light

May 31, 2016 02:00pm

People comparing PML N Lahore with PTI attacks on Public Institutions. Please bear in mind PTI is a change party and will never follow the footsetps of other parties. IK will set example and appear in courts after arrest warrants are issued. Or PTI is same like other parties law breaker and violent? Non-performing tag is already a halmrak of PTI let this law breaking tag be on their heads as well.

Recommend 0

Karachi time

May 31, 2016 02:04pm

Issue notices to Aleem Khan and Jahangor Tareen as PTI is saying that take them to courts don't judge them. So proceed dear courts against these corrupts. Lets see whether they will follow court orders or not or be same like old party? I bet all PTI are same.

Recommend 0

Blithe

May 31, 2016 02:41pm

It's high time we brought these miscreants behind bars !

Recommend 0

khi96

May 31, 2016 02:45pm

@Tariq Amir @MOIZ @AHMED YAAR What about the persons/so-called who attacked Supreme Court itself? Biggest humiliation of the biggest institution in Pakistan? Attacking PTV was a political strategy by PTI opponents to sabotage their campaign. By the way, what value does the national airing have?

Recommend 0

cornered tigers

May 31, 2016 02:57pm

If this is a politically motivated case then the cases in Karachi are also politically motivated.

Recommend 0

Abdul Majid

May 31, 2016 03:17pm

@Abdulla Hussaun Do you call IK and TQ peaceful leaders after what they did at the Islamabad television station.

Recommend 0

Zulfikr Ali Khan(ZAK)

May 31, 2016 03:29pm

What kind of leaders we have, no regard for the judicial system. How could these politicians be good for the people and country when they blatantly refuse to obey a court order.

Recommend 0

Zak

May 31, 2016 03:40pm

No doubt Rana Sanuallah must be behind this ATC.This Rana will face the publics anger too soon.

Recommend 0

Ali jee

May 31, 2016 03:57pm

That's one judge we know he is not doing his job probably,, I think he should get one warrant for him self,

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed, Canada

May 31, 2016 05:05pm

Charity begins at home. Above law are Sharif family and Zardari. Sharif brothers were nominated in FIR in Model Town case in 2014, they haven't been arrested as yet.

Recommend 0

Sarah

May 31, 2016 05:39pm

@Spooky and you believe all this !

Recommend 0

Agha Ata

May 31, 2016 07:13pm

@Moiz Thanks Moiz. Now you have told the judge.

Recommend 0

aamir ayub

May 31, 2016 08:46pm

For the supremacy of the law, both IK and TQ must be appeared before the court if they have clearn heart

Recommend 0

Philosopher (from Japan)

May 31, 2016 09:03pm

Now IK and Tq stand with Ah in terms of cases by ATCs.

Recommend 0

Maqsood Ahmad

Jun 01, 2016 07:23am

As long as justice is not dispensed across the board without fear by the powerful and mighty, the country will never make real progress. I am not in favor of any party or party leader, but want to see justice delivered to everyone. Until the courts are able to dispense the justice, the mighty and powerful will make their own rules. Land grabbing by mr. Riaz and others is unchecked since he claims that every one has price and pays well.... Imran and Qadri have military backing and they can laugh at the judges...... Good luck Pakistan.....

Recommend 0