IHC grants Imran Khan interim bail till April 18 in eight cases

Imran Khan has been shot, it should have been of great concern for government, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday extended the interim bail of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan till April 18 in eight cases, including stone pelting, vandalism and arson outside the judicial complex.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the bail applications of Imran Khan in eight cases.

Imran Khan’s attorney Barrister Salman Safdar argued that PTI Chairman submitted an application for exemption from appearance. He said that today Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will be coming to the IHC today and security is necessary there.

The PTI Chairman’s attorney said that Imran Khan wanted to appear before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC). He requested time till after Eid. He said that Imran Khan will surrender before the ATC after Eid, on which the Chief Justice remarked that no relief can be given to anyone else.

The court remarked that legally, the petitioner must be before the court on the day of the verdict.

Barrister Salman Safdar said that it was the safest place for us, on which the Chief Justice remarked that such security arrangements could also be made in the trial courts.

Advocate General Islamabad said that Imran Khan will have to appear himself. He questioned if he does not come on the next hearing, what will happen?

In his remarks, the Chief Justice further said that you have shown a foolproof security notification for Imran Khan, but you did not give security to Imran Khan as a former prime minister.

The Additional Attorney General said that the IG has the power to increase security, Imran Khan should inform before coming when he is coming here.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb while talking to the Additional Attorney General said that Imran Khan is a former Prime Minister who has also been shot, this matter should have been a matter of great concern for the government.

Later, the court allowed Imran Khan’s application for exemption from appearance today and extended his interim bail in eight cases till April 18.