LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended an order directing Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari to appear in person for cross-examination on her statement in the fake video case and halted the execution of her arrest warrants.
The court also directed the trial court to continue proceedings against other witnesses in the case.
Justice Abher Gul Khan of the Lahore High Court heard a petition filed by Azma Bokhari. The petitioner’s counsel, Ali Zaid Bokhari and Barrister Musa, presented arguments before the court, stating that the fake video case involving the provincial information minister was currently under trial.
The lawyers argued that Azma Bokhari faced security concerns because of her position as a senior government official, making her personal appearance before the trial court difficult.
They informed the court that the trial court had summoned Azma Bokhari for cross-examination on her statement. However, despite the matter being pending before the Lahore High Court, arrest warrants were issued against her over her failure to appear.
The petitioner’s lawyers maintained that the issuance of arrest warrants was unlawful and requested the high court to set aside the order requiring her personal appearance.
They also sought permission for Azma Bokhari’s cross-examination to be conducted through a video link instead of requiring her to appear physically before the trial court.
After hearing the arguments, the Lahore High Court suspended the order directing Azma Bokhari to appear in person for cross-examination and restrained the authorities from executing her arrest warrants.
The high court further instructed the trial court to record the statements of other witnesses in the case and continue proceedings to the extent of those witnesses.
