Imran granted interim bail until April 13 in 3 cases.
A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan interim bail until April 13 in three cases, on Tuesday.
The ATC instructed the former premier to appear in court at 11 am, and he complied by appearing before the court.
The PTI chief had filed petitions for bail in three FIRs registered with the Race Course police station under different charges, including an alleged attack on police officials and setting ablaze state properties in the Zaman Park area.
Earlier, the court had granted Imran bail till April 4 (today) and restrained the police from arresting him.
During the hearing today, Joint Investigation Team (JIT) chief Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imran Kishor appeared in the courtroom and stated that there was no investigation involving Imran Khan.
To this, Imran’s counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, said that he could submit a written statement to the police or the JIT could visit Imran’s residence at Zaman Park.
The duty judge remarked that it was preferable for the counsel to submit a written statement.
Safdar told the court that he are prepare to submit Imran’s write statement. At this, the court ordered the head of the JIT to appear at the next hearing and further directed him to complete the investigation as soon as possible.
Imran Khan reached the ATC amid a heavy contingent of security deployed at the court. Subsequently, the hearing are delay due to rush.
The court staff directed that all people, including the media, should leave the courtroom while the ATC judge and Safdar moved to another courtroom.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till April 13 while extending the PTI chief’s interim bail in three cases.
The lawyer told the court in front of the duty judge that Imran Khan “has joined the investigation”.
Earlier hearing:
The hearing had started earlier today in the absence of Imran. The duty judge of the court heard the application, and the counsel for the former premier informed the court about the serious security threats faced by Imran.
During the court’s inquiry regarding the notification of Imran’s appearance, Imran’s lawyer argued that two prime ministers had been assassinated in Pakistan’s history. He requested the court to give Imran time till 1:30 pm to appear before the court.
The court has directed Imran to appear before 11 am and has stressed that it will make a decision in compliance with the law, irrespective of whether the PTI chief appears or not.
The court has also stated that it will only grant relief to those who appear in person before it.
On the other hand, the ATC rejected PTI leader Hamad Azhar’s interim bail application on grounds of non-compliance.
The court also rejected the interim bail of Fawad Chaudhry in the case of arson, violence against the police and interference in government functions on the grounds of non-compliance.
Published in the Logical Baat, March 4, 2023.
