ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Friday said that as per intelligence reports, another attempt on former prime minister Imran Khan’s life could be made, local media reported.
Khan received gunshot wounds on November 3 when a gunman opened fire at his rally in Wazirabad. The former prime minister was leading an anti-government march in Wazirabad when his motorized convoy was attacked by a shooter.
In an interview to France 24 on Thursday, Khan expressed fears that another attempt on his life could be made. He blames Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and ISI director-general for counter intelligence, Major General Faisal Naseer, for the attempt on his life. The government and military have rubbished his allegations.
Refusing to recognize PM Sharif’s government, Khan has called for snap elections in Pakistan. He intends to arrive in Islamabad with thousands of supporters to pressurize the government into declaring a date for early elections.
On Friday, Justice Farooq heard a petition filed by traders on road closures due to protests by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Justice Farooq had directed the interior ministry to devise a strategy to ensure hassle-free protests in the capital.
“During today’s hearing, the judge, quoting intelligence reports submitted in court, said that there was a possibility of another attack on Imran’s life,” Dawn, Pakistan’s English language daily reported.
“It is the responsibility of the government and the state to look into the matter,” the newspaper quoted the judge as saying.
Justice Farooq said during the hearing that the administration should decide the rules and regulations of the protest. “It is the administration’s discretion if they want to give permission [for the protest] for D-Chowk or F-9 park,” the judge said, according to Dawn.
