IHC extends Imran's interim bails in eight cases till April 18

Justice Farooq warns of legal action if PTI chief fails to appear in next hearing

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday extended interim bails of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in eight cases lodged against him, including the judicial complex riot case, till April 18.

A two-member bench headed by the IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the bail pleas and the former prime minister’s request for exemption from attendance was approved.

During the hearing today, Justice Farooq remarked that legal action will be taken if Imran does not appear for the next hearing.

While directing him to be part of the investigation and appear before the court in every hearing, the court had granted the former prime minister interim bail till today.

Request for exemption from attendance

Earlier in the day, a request for exemption from today's attendance in all the cases was filed by the PTI chief's lawyer Salman Safdar.

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The ousted premier has maintained in the plea that more than “140 baseless fake cases” were filed against him by using state machinery for political aims.

It was also said in the application that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lay the foundation stone of the lawyers' complex in the high court today, adding that Imran's “presence is also subject to tight security arrangements”.

“Thus any uncertain situation cannot be overlooked, therefore the request for exemption from my presence today may be granted,” the PTI chief furthered.
The PTI chairman added that the police did not provide satisfactory fool-proof security and according to authentic information, there are security threats present. Imran furthered that his state-provided security was withdrawn despite concerns.

“I have appeared in courts before, I believe in the rule of law and there is no hesitation in appearing in court,” he added.

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Lawyer Faisal Chaudhry told the court that Imran is not coming to court today due to security concerns. To this, the chief justice remarked that he has seen the application and will issue an order.

 "If the security issue is still not acted upon, you can file a contempt of court petition,” the chief justice added.

The chief justice further remarked that Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha's attack case will be heard along with other bail pleas.

It should be noted that the court has sought an answer from the federal government regarding the security of the former premier as the government had withdrawn the security of the PTI chief.