ATC permits Imran to appear via video-link once

Former premier's counsel says Imran could face 'serious threats', including snipers, if he appeared in person

LAHORE:

A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan one-time permission to attend the hearing through video-link regarding a plea filed for his pre-arrest bail in three FIRs, including an alleged attack on police officials and setting ablaze state properties in the Zaman Park area.

Earlier, the ATC judge had reserved the verdict but shortly permitted the former premier to appear through video-link once due to security reasons.

The judge also extended the bail of Imran and other PTI leaders including Fawad Chaudhry, Ijaz Chaudhry, Mehmood ur Rasheed and Hammad Azhar til May 4.

One of the requests for pre-arrest bail was dismissed as withdrawn after the joint investigation team (JIT) head informed the court that Imran’s arrest was not required in the FIR regarding setting state properties ablaze.

As proceedings commenced, Imran’s counsel Barrister Salman Safdar argued that the PTI chief had been receiving threats and his life was at risk. He requested the court to permit Imran to fulfil his attendance through video-link and said that he would assist the court over video.

The judge questioned what would happen if the police required Imran to be arrested and he dismissed his bail. To this, Safdar said that not only were they giving an undertaking to the court that Imran would surrender if need be, but he would also join the investigation.

He informed the court that there could be serious security threats if Imran appeared before the court in person.

Read Court extends Imran's interim bail until April 13 in three cases

The judge asked what remarkable achievements Imran had made to receive such threats, adding that former premiers Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others were moving routinely.

Safdar replied that he would produce the petitioner if the court directed it but that there was no doubt that Imran had received threats of dire consequences and his life was at risk. He argued that Imran had appeared before the courts when there was no danger but this time there were reports of the sniper shooters.

The judge asked the law officer about his legal viewpoint, to which he strongly opposed the arguments. The officer said that he knew nothing about such threats and police officials could explain the situation better.

Safdar argued that the police still faced the stain of the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The ATC judge stated that Imran could be handed over to the police and security would be the responsibility of the Punjab caretaker government.

Safdar said it would be wrong to deprive the petitioner of his right to freedom, adding that the Constitution granted the right of liberty to its citizens.

The judge questioned who would give the guarantee that Imran was present and attending from his house, to which the lawyer stated that a representative of the court would go and check.