- PTI chief’s interim bail extended in ECP protest case
- Decides to challenge NAB summons in Lahore High court
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in two terrorism cases filed against him in Islamabad.
The cases were registered following last week’s clashes at the Federal Judicial Complex, where the former prime minister and his supporters were accused of attacking police and causing unrest during the hearing of Toshakhana case on March 18.
The FIRs were filed at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Golra police stations in the capital.
The two-member LHC bench comprising Justice Shehbaz Rizvi and Justice Farooq Haider granted Khan protective bail in the terrorism cases until March 27.
Khan arrived at the court at around 1:00pm, accompanied by the party’s senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry, lawyers, and security guards. His vehicle entered the LHC via the Mosque Gate.
During the proceedings, Khan reiterated his claims of being in danger, saying that the current rulers want to kill him and that a “trap” was laid at the Islamabad complex during the Toshakhana hearing.
He had survived an assassination attempt last year and had blamed senior figures in the government and military for it.
Justice Sheikh inquired about the guards accompanying Khan, to which Chaudhry replied that they were part of the former prime minister’s “personal security.” However, the judge ordered the guards to leave, citing the presence of police officers for security.
During the hearing, Khan took to the rostrum and recounted the events of March 18, saying his wife, Bushra Maneka, was alone at home that day, but the police broke down the windows of his house.
He claimed that obstructions were set up in multiple places to prevent him from reaching court. Khan expressed his disappointment with the government’s behaviour, saying that it sends the message that there is no rule of law.
The court instructed the government lawyer to seek directions regarding the Zaman Park operation and appear in court.
Justice Sheikh warned that contempt proceedings would be initiated against those who make a joke of the judiciary in the media, and that action would be taken if the respondents did not respect the court. He emphasized that the court will only work as per the law.
Protective bail in two NAB inquiries
The LHC division bench also granted a 10-day protective bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan in two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inquiries.
The bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi heard the petitions filed by the PTI chairman for protective bail in the NAB inquiries.
Imran’s counsel argued before the bench that the NAB had summoned his client in Toshakhana gifts matter whereas another notice had been served on March 16. He pleaded with the bench for grant of protective bail to his client in NAB inquiries.
Interim bail extended in ECP protest case
Meanwhile, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan till April 8 in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas heard an application for extension in interim bail and exemption from personal appearance.
While extending Imran Khan’s interim bail, the court also accepted the request for exemption from attendance in the case pertaining to protests outside the ECP office.
During the hearing, the PTI chief’s counsel appeared before the ATC and stated that Khan’s previous appearance in the judicial complex was available for all to see, adding that Imran would have been assassinated at the complex.
He further said that Imran Khan himself wanted to go to the judicial complex, however, the current situation did not permit it.
The judge inquired that if the request for exemption from attendance was approved today, was there a guarantee that the ex-premier would appear at the next hearing? Imran’s counsel maintained that the ATC had not summoned Imran thus far.
Imran to challenge NAB’s summon in high court
Meanwhile, former prime minister Imran Khan decided to challenge the National Accountability Bureau’s summon in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry stated that by issuing notices in Toshakhana case, the NAB violated its mandate, as the case does not come in the jurisdiction of the accountability bureau. He demanded constitution of a high-level commission with regard to Toshakhana, which should inquire into the state gifts in the state depository for two decades. A team of the NAB officials had yesterday served notices to Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi and summoned them to appear before the NAB.
PTI chairman and his spouse have decided not to appear in the NAB inquiry. The Toshakhana issue has become a major sticking point in the national politics after the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the PTI chief for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
The judgment added that the former premier was found to be indulged in corrupt practices under sections 167 and 173 of the constitution. “A criminal proceeding will be initiated against him over filing a false statement.”
