LHC suspends Azma Bokhari’s appearance order, halts arrest warrants in fake video case

Lahore High Court (LHC) has stayed an order instructing Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari to appear in person for cross examination on her statement in the fake video case and stayed execution of her arrest warrants.

The court also directed the trial court to proceed against the remaining witnesses in the case.

Azma Bokhari filed a petition before Justice Abher Gul Khan of the Lahore High Court. The petitioner’s counsel Ali Zaid Bokhari and Barrister Musa argued in the court that the matter related to the bogus film against the province information minister was under trial.

Azma Bokhari, a top government official, had security concerns and it was difficult for her to appear personally before the trial court, the lawyers contended.

The court was notified of the trial court summoning Azma Bokhari for cross-examination on her statement. However, she was issued arrest warrants for her non-appearance despite the case being sub judice in the Lahore High Court.

The petitioner’s lawyers argued that the arrest warrants were issued illegally and urged the top court to set out the order asking for her personal appearance.

They also requested permission to cross-examine Azma Bokhari using a video link rather than being physically present before the trial court.

The Lahore High Court, after hearing the arguments, delayed the order of Azma Bokhari’s appearance in person for cross-examination and barred the authorities from executing her arrest orders.

The high court also directed the trial court to record the statements of other witnesses in the case and go further in so far as those witnesses are concerned.