LHC reserves verdict on Imran’s plea against cases lodged on and after May 9

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking court order to stop authorities from arresting him and also seeking detail of all cases registered against him on and after May 9 when he appeared before the Islamabad High Court and arrested by the paramilitary troops inside the court premises, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

At the outset of the hearing, LHC Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid inquired about the whereabouts of Imran Khan.

To which, PTI chief’s lawyer Barrister Safdar Saleem told the judge that his client has not secured the protective bail. If the court orders, he will appear before it after 11am today.

The lawyer beseeched the court to provide detail of all unknown cases registered against Imran between May 9 and 12. He also pleaded with the court to order the authorities not to arrest his client till the provision of detail of cases against him.

He told the judge that a similar case is being heard by a five-member larger bench of the Lahore High Court, imploring him to send this case to the same bench too.

However, the Punjab government lawyer Ghulam Safdar Nahang opposed the request of Imran’s lawyer. He said that it never happened before that the superior judiciary released an accused during his physical remand. He contended that the apex court’s ‘relief’ could never be cited as a court decision in future references.

LHC adjourns case pertaining to broadcasting ban on Imran’s speeches

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court heard another plea submitted by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, challenging the decision to ban his speeches on electronic media.

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza conducted the proceedings.

During the hearing, the judge allowed the petitioner’s lawyer to provide additional documents. With this, he adjourned the case.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and TV channels have been made respondents in the case.

Zille Shah murder case

The PTI chairman did not appear before the Lahore High Court in the Zille Shah murder and vandalism case on Tuesday.

Imran’s lawyer Salman Safdar submitted a petition to the court, seeking his exemption from the court appearance in the case, citing the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. 

He told the court that Imran even could not go to the Islamabad High Court as the security situation was not conducive. 

He said that several prime ministers have already been killed in the country. The PDM is staging sit-ins, he added.

The judge inquired if protests are being staged from Zaman Park to the court. 

The lawyer insisted that the law and order situation is worsening, adding that Imran is 71 years old and his life is in danger. 

Reporters Malik Ashraf and Jamaluddin Jamali