Banking court again summons Imran in prohibited funding case

Court asks PTI chief to appear on February 28 in light of the IHC's order

ISLAMABAD:

A banking court in Islamabad summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson and former prime minister Imran Khan on February 28 in the prohibited funding case against him.

The hearing of the prohibited funding case, lodged under the Foreign Exchange Act against the ousted premier and other PTI leaders, was presided by judge Rukhshanda Shaheen.

During the hearing today, Imran's legal team submitted a copy of the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to the court.

Keeping in view the IHC's earlier order, the court ordered Imran to appear on February 28. The hearing was adjourned till the same date.

However, in an application submitted in court today, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) accused the former premier of 'misusing' the interim bail to not appear in front of the judge. 

The FIA further said Imran was not "cooperating with the process of law" and has not joined the investigation process.

The agency also criticised the medical report presented by the PTI chief, terming it "not credible" as it is from a "hospital owned by him". The application further prayed to the court for the formation of a medical board to examine Imran. 

Earlier, Imran had written a letter to the investigation officer of the prohibited funding case, requesting that his statement be recorded via a letter.

In the letter, he mentioned that a case was registered against him “without inquiry”, and he was subjected to an assassination attempt during the march to Islamabad.

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Imran said that he suffered multiple injuries due to bullets and was hospitalised and a case was registered on the matter.

Imran pointed out that he wrote letters to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Dec 3, Jan 30, and Feb 4, requesting them to record his statement through a video link or a letter.

The former prime minister further said that he requested the FIA to send its team to Lahore for investigation and the agency assured the banking court to cooperate with him.

However, he claimed, despite repeated requests, the FIA did not cooperate.

Several courts, including the Islamabad High Court (IHC), ruled his medical reports to be fine, he added. The former premier claimed that the agency was operating on the whims of the federal government.

He remarked that he wanted to join the case proceedings via letter.