Imran Khan Faces Escalating Legal Troubles as Pakistan's Supreme Court Demands His Surrender

ISLAMABAD: The legal woes for former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have intensified as the country's Supreme Court issued a demand for his personal surrender in connection with the murder case of senior lawyer Abdul Raazaq Shar in Quetta. The slain lawyer had previously filed a petition against Khan, accusing him of illegally dissolving the National Assembly following a no-confidence motion initiated by the opposition last year.

Abdul Raazaq Shar, a senior Supreme Court lawyer, was tragically killed by unidentified assailants in Quetta on June 6. The incident drew immediate attention to the political implications of the murder, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's aide, Attaullah Tarar, alleging that Khan orchestrated the killing to evade accountability in the high treason case. In response, PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan targeted Sharif instead, sparking a heated exchange of accusations.

The Pakistan Supreme Court, represented by a three-judge bench, made a significant ruling, instructing Khan's counsel, Sardar Abdul Latif Khosa, that Khan must appear in person before the court before seeking any interim relief. This ruling came in response to the case lodged against Khan by the deceased lawyer's stepson.

In his appeal, Imran Khan sought to challenge the Balochistan High Court's decision to quash the FIR against him in the lawyer's murder case. Khan's counsel argued that the matter required urgent attention, citing concerns of potential coercive actions from authorities. Notably, Khan rejected the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the lawyer's murder.

Amidst the ongoing murder case proceedings, the former Prime Minister also faces another serious threat. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a stern warning, stating that Imran Khan might face arrest if he fails to cooperate with the investigation into the leaking of national secrets, known as the 'cipher case.'

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sent Khan a notice to appear before them on July 25 in connection with the cipher probe. Sanaullah emphasized that if Khan refuses to cooperate during the inquiry, he could face potential arrest. The investigation aims to identify those involved in leaking sensitive national information and may lead to criminal charges against the culprits.

The situation escalated further when a close aide of Khan accused him of using a diplomatic cable from Pakistan's mission in the US to build an "anti-establishment narrative." This accusation adds another layer of complexity to the already politically charged atmosphere surrounding the former Prime Minister.

As the legal troubles for Imran Khan continue to intensify, the entire nation watches closely to see how the former leader responds to the court's order for his surrender and the investigation into the alleged leaking of national secrets. The outcome of these cases could have far-reaching implications for Pakistan's political landscape and the future of its former Prime Minister.

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