The Lahore High Court on Monday approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s protective bail plea in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan.
After several notices, the PTI chairman appeared before the Lahore High Court.
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A two-member bench of the LHC led by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard Imran Khan’s protective bail plea in a case registered at the Sangjani police station. The court also barred police from arresting Imran Khan.
On the Imran convoy’s arrival, the PTI chairman faced difficulty in reaching the courtroom for over an hour after their arrival at the LHC premises, as a result of the significant crowd of lawyers and supporters gathered in the court area.
Imran khan Advocate Khawaja Tariq Rahim apprised the bench that the former prime minister was present in the court’s premises and pleaded with the court to mark the attendance of the wounded leader in his vehicle.
At this, Justice Najafi directed the counsel to produce his client before the court as he has reached the court’s premises. Referring to the rush inside the court’s premises, the lawyer said that Khan’s plaster would damage if someone pushes him.
“Suspect’s appearance in court is mandatory for interim bail,” remarked the judge.
LHC judge Justice Baqir Ali Najfi’s staff conveyed the judge’s directions to Imran Khan’s counsel after the PTI chairman couldn’t reach the court within the deadline.
The court remarked that it will wait for 10 more minutes for the PTI chairman following which the honorable judges will leave. On the other hand, the former PM’s lawyers assured the court of Imran Khan’s appearance before the court.
The former prime minister was expected to appear before the Lahore High Court (LHC) to attend the hearing of the protective bail plea filed by him but his lawyers told the high court that the court was clogged and he could be brought to court only if the passage was clear.
The PTI chief later moved to the courtroom in a wheelchair to appear in the hearing.
During the hearing, Imran Khan told the bench that his leg has not fully recovered. He said that any shock to his fractured leg would stop him from recovering for three more months.
He sought two weeks from the court as his X-ray will be conducted on 28th February. The LHC bench approved the protective bail of Imran Khan till March 3.
Imran Khan appeared in Justice Sheikh’s Court
Imran Khan also appear in another hearing at the LHC to seek protective bail in a case lodged at the Secretariat police station. The PTI chief appears in the courtroom of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.
Justice Sheikh summoned Khan after finding a different signature on his bail plea. The security staff said that the courtroom should be vacated before bringing Imran Khan in due to a crowd. Imran Khan appeared in Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh’s court as the LHC had noted the discrepancy in the documents last week during the hearing of a protective bail plea of the PTI Chairman.
Remember that during the previous hearing on 16th February, the single-member bench of the LHC ordered the PTI chairman to appear before it on February 20 at 2 pm.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday gave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan the last chance to appear before the court today by 5 pm.
Taking note of Imran Khan’s absence despite orders at the outset of the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh inquired where the PTI chief was as he was asked to appear in court at 2 pm.
Imran Khan’s lawyer told the court that his client was on his way and was late due to security issues.
Justice Sheikh told the counsel that resolving the security issues was not his duty and then adjourned the hearing for a short break.
When the hearing resumed again, lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim that there was traffic on Mall Road that’s why the PTI chief was late. He added that the police had communicated to them that Mall Road would remain free from traffic but there was a traffic jam.
Lahore High court Justice Sheikh in his remarks asked Imran khan’s advocate Azhar Siddique to ensure the presence of his client in the court. “We are giving you time until 5 pm to present Imran Khan before the court after which a notice of contempt of court will be issued”
Security Issues
PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Imran Khan is present on the court premises and police made the worst security arrangements despite the assurance of the inspector general (IG).
He said that there are thousands of people present on the court’s premises and Imran Khan cannot reach the courtroom in the current situation.
Earlier, Imran Khan has been given time till 5:00 pm to appear before the Lahore High Court in the ECP protest case.
Strict security measures have been taken at the Lahore high court to avoid any critical situation as Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has suspended hearings of all other cases.
PTI chief’s lawyer Azhar Siddique and party leaders, including Shibli Faraz and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, reached the court. Imran Khan’s private security team also visited the LHC.