Imran gets interim bail in seven cases

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan interim bail in seven cases, restraining authorities from arresting him.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the former prime minister’s plea seeking protective bail in cases pertaining to clashes between the PTI workers and police personnel during his appearance before Federal Judicial Complex on March 18.

Senior PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhary, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Sabtain Khan and party lawyers were present in large numbers inside the courtroom.

The former premier sought interim bail in seven cases over security concerns. Imran was accompanied by his two senior lawyers, Naeem Panjotha and Salman Safdar.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Farooq questioned why the petitioner was trying to bypass the trial courts. Counsel Safdar stated that the former premier faced security threats.

Justice Farooq stated that law and order situation arose when thousands of people gathered outside courts, however, Imran's lawyer argued that people came to the court on their own accord and were not summoned by the PTI.

Read PTI raises spectre of ‘FATF grey listing’ over govt crackdown

The lawyer continued that on March 18 they were at the judicial complex but were not allowed to enter. He added that Imran's counsel would assist the court on events outside the trial court.

The judge remarked that the events that conspired on March 18 were wrong, and the court was aware that Imran faced potential threats.

Islamabad Advocate General (AG) Jahangir Jadoon stated that the PTI must cooperate with security authorities. He said that on March 18, the former ruling party brought up to 5,000 people and the door of the judicial complex was broken.

AG Jadoon maintained that it was the PTI's responsibility to control their followers, to which the IHC CJ questioned what the party was to do when the authorities were not providing them with security.

"Imran Khan has genuine security concerns," the chief justice said, adding that the former premier had been attacked in the past.

Imran's lawyer stated that in all the cases against him, the police were the plaintiff. He continued that he had "no objections" to going to the judicial complex if proper security was provided.

The lawyer added that security personnel were removed from around Imran.

Justice Farooq told the AG that he had "done wrong by removing the former premier's security".

The chief justice stated that he would pass an order on the matter, granting Imran interim bail in seven cases. He sought answers for why a former prime minister's security was withdrawn.

The court also issued a notice to the incumbent government.

Earlier today, the IHC adjourned a hearing requesting the provision of details regarding cases registered against the PTI chief.

Chief Justice Farooq heard the case, and Imran’s lawyers complained about difficulty in reaching the court. The judge stated that he had to come through the same route and security was arranged for the PTI leaders.

During the hearing, the federal government requested extra time to provide information.

The court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday, ordering the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Islamabad police to inform it about the number of cases pending against Imran.

Read More Police dragnet fails to catch central PTI leaders

Meanwhile, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) summoned 17 PTI leaders, including the party chief, to join the investigation regarding the terror charges against them.

PTI leaders Umar, Murad Saeed, Aamir Kiyani, Shibli Faraz and Ali Amin Gandapur were some of the leaders that were summoned.

In a separate development, the Islamabad police reportedly attempted to arrest Ghulam Sarwar Khan. However, he managed to escape along with his caravan. The police reportedly picked up the official photographer of the deposed prime minister, Naumanji.