In a major relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the Islamabad High Court granted him interim bail in seven different cases against him till April 6.
A bench headed by IHC CJ Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb is hearing the case.
The PTI leader arrived before IHC earlier today after traveling from Lahore to request pre-arrest bail in several cases brought against him in the federal capital.
In seven cases filed against him as a result of the chaos at the judicial complex during his previous visit to the federal capital, former prime minister Imran Khan is requesting bail.
The former prime minister was the subject of several investigations that were filed at the Ramna, CTD, and Golra police stations in Islamabad.
The hearing
EX PM Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, stood in court at the beginning of the session and stated that anyone over 60 shouldn’t be required to submit to biometric verification.
Justice Farooq said at this point that the biometric verification had now become quite simple.
The attorney claimed that after obtaining the PTI chief’s protective bail from the Lahore High Court (LHC), they arrived at the courthouse but were prevented from entering.
“More FIRs against Imran Khan were lodged that day,” he added.
At this, IHC CJ asked the lawyer to clarify why had they bypassed a forum to reach IHC.
“Why didn’t you go to the trial court first when you have to go there ultimately,” he asked.
At this, the lawyer maintained that he would present Supreme Court’s judgments in this regard.
After this, Khan proceeded to the rostrum, however, CJ Farooq directed him to stay seated.
Responding to the argument of Khan’s lawyer, the justice said that the security threats to the former premier must be genuine as he had been attacked once.
Justice Hassan noted that the court had repeatedly requested that the chief election commissioner give Khan security.
At this point, Islamabad Advocate-General Jahangir Jadoon argued that the trial court had been moved from F8 katchehri court to the judicial complex.
“Imran Khan has the responsibility to ensure a peaceful environment. He didn’t even get off the car and people burned cars,” he said.
At this, Justice Farooq remarked on what the petitioner would do if the administration gave irresponsible statements.
“They [PTI] will arrange its own security if you [administration] don’t provide it. Two prime ministers of Pakistan had been assassinated and one was attacked,” the justice remarked.
Khan was then given temporary release from custody by the court, and the PTI chairman exited the high court.
Plea filed
As the PTI leader headed towards Islamabad, his legal team filed a petition in the IHC asking for pre-arrest bail in a number of cases that had been lodged in various police stations throughout the federal capital.
The plea requests that the federal government refrain from detaining the PTI head in those instances and claims that the cases were filed as political retaliation.
The petitions, however, have objections attached by the court’s registrar’s office since the PTI leader’s biometric is missing from the plea.
“How can a petition be filed in a high court before [it is filed] in a trial court,” asked the registrar’s office.
When the PTI chief finally showed up on the property, his biometric was run. Following the removal of the biometric objection, the plea was permitted for hearing with other objections.
Khan laments lack of security
When a reporter asked the PTI chief if he was satisfied with the security arrangements, Khan responded: “There is no security, it is our security,”
SSP to deal with security arrangements
In the meantime, the inspector general sat over a crucial meeting to review security plans for Imran Khan’s expected court appearance, according to a tweet from the Islamabad police.
Senior officers, including the operations DIG and SSP, attended the meeting despite being injured. It was decided that field supervision of security arrangements will be taken care of by SSP Yasir Afridi.
Malik Jameel Zafar will be in charge of coordinating between the police and PTI through Amir Kiyani, who has been given the responsibility of acting on behalf of the PTI.
The Safe City Headquarters now has a central control center, according to the Islamabad police.
In meanwhile, Section 144 is in operation in Islamabad, and offenders face arrest.
Only those who are concerned may enter the courthouse, according to court orders, the police tweeted.
Imran Khan may appear in court, but there is currently no information on that, according to the Islamabad police spokesperson. However, he had stated that the Islamabad police would organise for security in light of court orders.
