Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has been granted protective bail in five cases filed against him in Islamabad, including two for vandalism at the judicial complex and high court, by the Lahore High Court until March 27.
Imran requested an extension of his protective bail, and a two-judge bench of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Anwaar Hussain heard his request today. Barrister Salman Safdar defended Imran Khan in the court.
Imran, who has previously testified in court with a throng of fans, was shown arriving at the LHC with his security team and a few supporters walking beside his car in the rain in a video shared by the PTI. He dismounted, and his security crew protected him with bulletproof jackets as he entered.
Imran was questioned by a reporter as he exited the courthouse whether he believed the Punjab elections had been postponed until October by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
How will elections be held in October if the ECP judgment is not overturned? He asked. They might claim they lack funds in this matter. He said, “The law of the jungle rules here.”
Imran’s attorney, Barrister Safdar, stated at the beginning of the session that his client “stood outside the judicial complex for 40 minutes to get bail in these cases.” Imran had not abused the bail, Safdar said.
However, Justice Sheikh advised them that they ought to have gone to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) instead.
“We’ve been thinking about it since yesterday, but Imran Khan has a security issue,” Safdar said, noting that Imran had brought his security detail to court today.
I took a long time to go from the toll booth to the court in Islamabad, Imran stated as he stood at the podium. There were so many FC and police officers there that it appeared as though a criminal was moving.
My life was in peril when stones and teargas shells were hurled at me. We returned to Lahore because my life was in danger. If you watch the video, you’ll see that I waited for the courthouse for 40 minutes.
“I am experiencing remarkable things right now. Imran stated, “I have 40 terrorist cases against me. This has never occurred to a former prime minister before, he told the court.
Imran was required to file an affidavit by the LHC. Justice Sheikh adjourned the session once more, adding, “You will give an affidavit saying that your plea is pending before an Islamabad ATC.”
Imran’s attorney, Intizar Hussain Panjhuta, handed in the affidavit as the session went back up. “We have submitted five affidavits,” Panjhuta said.
The LHC then decided to prolong Imran’s protective bail in five instances till March 27. The court further stated that the PTI Chairman may face contempt proceedings, emphasizing that there would be serious repercussions if remarks were distorted.
