LHC approves protective bail of Imran Khan till 3rd March in a case pertaining to protest outside ECP
LAHORE, Feb 20 (SABAH): Lahore High Court bench headed by Justice Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Shehbaz Ali Rizvi has approved the protective bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, in a case pertaining to the protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan, for 10 days till 3rd March. The court has directed Imran Khan to approach the concerned court till 3rd March. Imran Khan appeared before the bench and remained in courtroom for 10 minutes. Imran Khan appeared before the court in the case registered at Sangjani police station.
During the hearing of the case Imran Khan informed the court that the doctors have still not permitted walking on foot, adding that the doctors have advised two weeks rest. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi remarked that usually the courts grant protective bail for 10 days.
After several notices served to Imran Khan, the PTI chairman ‘finally’ appeared before the LHC to present himself in two separate hearings.
The LHC had adjourned the hearing once again till 7:30pm, directing the security officials to pave way for the PTI chief to reach courtroom.
Despite reaching LHC premises the disposed prime minister could not appear before the court as his convoy is surrounded by massive number of party supporters.
The LHC had granted the former prime minister the last few minutes to present himself before the court after the initial deadline of 5pm lapsed, warning lawyers that the judges would leave if the former prime minister won’t reach the courtroom in the given time.
After multiple adjournments, a two member bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) — headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi — resumed hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s bail plea.
Advocate Khawaja Tariq Rahim, Imran Khan’s counsel, apprised the bench that the former prime minister was present in the court’s premises and pleaded with the court to mark the attendance of the wounded leader in his vehicle.
At this, Justice Najafi directed the counsel to produce his client before the court as he has reached the court’s premises.
Referring to the rush inside the court’s premises, the lawyer said that Khan’s plaster would damage if someone pushes him.
“Suspect’s appearance in court is mandatory for interim bail,” remarked the judge. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till 7:30pm.
Imran Khan’s counsel, in view of the PTI’s workers massive rush inside the court’s premises, pleaded with the court to mark the attendance of the injured leader in his vehicle but the court turned down the request.
Earlier in the day, when the hearing resumed on Monday after multiple suspensions, Advocate Khawaja Tariq Rahim, counsel for the former prime minister, admitted that the bail petition was not signed by the PTI chief.
Taking note of Imran Khan’s absence despite orders at the outset of the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh inquired where the PTI chief was as he was asked to appear in court at 2pm.
Imran Khan’s lawyer told the court that his client was on his way and was late due to security issues.
Justice Sheikh told the counsel that resolving the security issues was not his problem and then adjourned the hearing once again.
When the hearing resumed again, lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim said that there was traffic on Mall Road which is why the PTI chief was late. He added that the police had communicated to them that Mall Road would remain free from traffic but there was a traffic jam.
The lawyer then told the court that his client does not see himself “bigger than the high court”, adding that the PTI chief will come but arrangements need to be made.
When the judge pressed the counsel to explain the reasons why his client is not appearing, the lawyer said a perception is being created that Imran Khan doesn’t want to appear before the court.
“Let me issue a show cause notice and fix a date after three weeks,” the judge remarked. At this, the counsel said Khan will come today (Tuesday).
“Not this early,” the judge responded, asking the counsel to let him write down the order as “you are making fun of law”.
The LHC judge noted, “Imran Khan is a leader, a role model and should remain so.”
At this, the counsel promised to produce Imran Khan by 5pm. The judge then said, “This is the last chance for Imran Khan as the court had already granted him concession”.