PTI chief’s interim bail extended till May 31

LHC’s judge sends a plea filed by Imran to CJ for placing it before a larger bench

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended the interim bail of PTI Chairman Imran till May 31 in a case pertaining to holding rally in violation of Section 144.

The court approved the PTI chief’s request seeking exemption from appearance and directed him to ensure his presence in the next hearing.

The same bench also extended the stay order till May 31 restraining the police from arresting the former premier in the cases registered after May 9.

IHC Chief Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard PTI chief’s bail plea.

The court inquired how many cases were registered against Imran in the federal capital.

Barrister Gohar Ali replied that more than 100 cases were filed against the PTI chief in the country.

The court asked whether the investigation officer could go to Lahore and inquire the PTI chairman.

Accepting Imran’s request, the IHC said if the PTI chief does not appear before the court on May 31, plea for exemption will not be approved.

Meanwhile, Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid sent a plea filed by the PTI chairman to Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti for placing it before a larger bench, seeking fresh report containing any undisclosed or new FIRs on or after May 9 (period of illegal detention with NAB) registered against him.

The petitioner, Imran, in his plea, had also requested the court to restrain the quarters concerned from arresting him in any case without prior permission of the court.