ATTOCK: Legal action looms over Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s legal team, following a reported physical altercation with the staff at Attock jail. The incident, which transpired on Wednesday, resulted in the initiation of a case against the lawyers at the Attock City police station. The complaint was officially lodged by Deputy Jail Superintendent Afzal Ahmed Warraich.
The individuals in the legal spotlight are Sher Afzal Khan and Umair Khan Niazi, both affiliated with the former prime minister’s legal team. The registered First Information Report (FIR) accuses them of a range of offenses, encompassing interference with government operations, making grave threats, and causing harm to a jail official’s uniform.
As detailed in the FIR, the lawyers stand accused of engaging in improper conduct and issuing serious threats. The unfolding of events allegedly began when advocate Umair Khan Niazi arrived at the civil judge’s residence checkpost at 8:40 pm to deliver a court order from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to the jail administration.
In line with the FIR’s account, upon receiving information about the impending delivery, the Jail Superintendent dispatched the undersigned (Deputy Superintendent) to retrieve the High Court order from Advocate Umair Khan Niazi at the police picket. Meanwhile, Sher Afzal Marwat Advocate also arrived at the police picket.
According to the details presented in the FIR, the two lawyers adamantly insisted on an immediate meeting with Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, demanding his immediate signing of the power of attorney.
Head Warder Abrar Khan and Warder Usman Ahmed Khan were dispatched to the checkpost in the company of the deputy superintendent, with the aim of receiving the court orders. Advocate Sher Afzal Khan also made his presence known at the scene.
The FIR outlines that the lawyers were prompted to produce the court orders, yet they persisted in their demand to meet Imran Khan and have the power of attorney signed. Their response to being informed about the jail’s regulations was reported to have taken an aggressive and inappropriate turn.
As detailed in the official case record, I, the Deputy Superintendent, communicated to them that the jail was currently in lock-up status, and as per jail regulations, prisoner visits were prohibited during this time. In response, both lawyers exhibited increasing agitation, accompanied by inappropriate conduct. Their agitation ultimately escalated to a point where I was subjected to physical assault. Fortunately, the timely intervention of Head Warder Abrar Khan and Warrant Munshi, who were present with me, effectively ensured my safety.
The FIR alleges that during this episode, the lawyers forcibly tore the uniform of Head Warder Abrar and issued menacing threats of dire consequences.
Police officers stationed at the checkpost reportedly bore witness to the entire sequence of events.
The police have officially registered a case against the two lawyers under sections 506/353/186 of the Penal Code.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
