The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday granted PTI Chairman Imran Khan protective bail in eight terrorism cases registered against him in Lahore and Islamabad, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.

Five of the cases were registered in Islamabad while the remaining were registered in Lahore. A two-judge LHC bench granted Imran protective bail in the cases registered in Lahore till March 27 and till March 24 in the cases registered in Islamabad.

The LHC directed Khan to ensure his bail from the respective courts during this period. 

LHC judge Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh during the hearing told Imran that he mishnadled the case.

“You have to bring yourself into the system,” Justice Sheikh said. “There was no problem in this case. You mishandled it,” the judge said. 

At the hearing commenced before the two-judge bench, Imran’s lawyer informed the court that there were six cases registered against the PTI chief in Islamabad and three in Lahore. He said Imran had filed pleas for protective bail in order to appear before the relevant courts.

He further said that Imran had also not been informed of the details of some of the cases registered against him. At this, Justice Sheikh said that the court would only grant bail in the cases filed before it.

Taking the rostrum, Imran said that there were so many cases registered against him that when he was granted bail in one, yet another would be registered against him.

Referring to the police operation at Zaman Park, he said that it had never happened before. He thanked the LHC for stopping the police operation, saying that the court “saved him”.

Justice Sheikh told the PTI chief that “the solution for all problems is found in the law”. He said that it would be better if Imran “went with the system”.

“There was an assassination attempt on me,” Imran said, adding that a suicide attack had previously occurred at the Islamabad court he was supposed to appear in. “I believe in the rule of law. I cannot even imagine of not appearing in the courts,” Imran said.

“You have to bring yourself into the [legal] system,” Justice Sheikh said. “There was no problem in this case. You mishandled it,” the judge said.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the Punjab government said the PTI side was claiming there were five terrorism cases against Imran when there were actually six.

“There are 94 cases against me. If six more are registered, it will make it a century,” Imran quipped.

Earlier, the former prime minister reached Lahore High Court (LHC) as the court summoned him in multiple cases, while his bulletproof vehicle has also been allowed to enter the court premises.

Imran arrived at the LHC a little after 5:30pm alongside droves of PTI supporters. The LHC’s registrar's office also accepted a request from Imran’s counsel Azhar Siddique seeking permission for the PTI chief’s vehicle to enter court premises.

Footage broadcast on TV showed his vehicle entering court premises while PTI workers were stopped at the gate. Subsequently, the PTI workers and a large number of lawyers started scaling the walls of the LHC to catch a glimpse of the PTI chief.

PTI's baton-wielding force was also among the supporter which was led by Murad Saeed and Aslam Iqbal.

However, Imran finally entered the courtroom nearly an hour after arriving at court premises. Footage broadcast on TV showed police in anti-riot gear shielding the PTI chief as he entered.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has adjourned the petition regarding the arrest of Imran Khan in Zaman Park, stating it would decide all the matters at 5:30 PM and also look into the way of executing the arrest warrant.

LHC judge Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard the petitions of Imran Khan and Fawad Chaudhry.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry appeared before the court.

“The lives of Lahoris have been saved because of you,” Fawad Chaudhry said to Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.

“The police have said that they will provide security to Imran Khan. We have withdrawn from the Lahore rally. Now we will hold the rally on Monday,” he added.

“I had suggested to carry forward the date of the rally,” Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said in reply.

“The protective bails of Imran Khan have been filed. We have said that the IGP should not arrest the workers and withdraw his miscellaneous petition seeking access to Zaman Park,” Fawad Chaudhry said.

“We all have to obey the law. I will not stop the action against the one who has committed wrong. After the decision of the courts of Islamabad, how can I hear the protective bail now?” Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked.

“We will assist the court once the bail is granted,” Fawad Chaudhry said.

“We will see it once the bail petition is filed,” Justice Tariq Saleem Bajwa said in reply.

The LHC judge also heard the miscellaneous petition of Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar for access to the residence of Imran Khan in Zaman Park.

IGP Dr Usman Anwar along with Advocate General Muhammad Shan Gul appeared before the court.

“Police action was taken in Zaman Park for executing the arrest warrants,” the petition stated.

“Allow unimpeded access to Imran Khan’s house,” it pleaded.

“The presence of members of a banned organisation is suspected at the crime scene. The DIG of Islamabad police and several policemen were injured,” it added.

“Several residents of Zaman Park are contacting police for the registration of the case. Police have registered four cases so far,” it stated.

“The court has asked the police to come back, so they were not able to investigate. Access to the place of occurrence is necessary for investigation and gathering of evidence,” it highlighted.

“Without access to the place of occurrence, the process of investigation cannot be completed,” it emphasised and pleaded with the court to allow the police to go to the crime scene and collect the evidence.

Roads leading to Zaman Park blocked with containers: PTI workers take positions

Police have blocked the roads leading to Zaman Park in Lahore, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is in his Zaman Park’s residence, and he is expected to appear in the Lahore High Court (LHC) at 3:00 PM today.

Dharampura Chowk, Dharampura railway crossing and Thandi Sarak have been closed with containers.

Underpasses on Canal Road are kept opened. Policemen have been deployed on Dharampura and Mall Road.

A large number of PTI workers, armed with sticks, have also arrived, and they have taken over the security of Zaman Park.

The PTI workers have blocked the ways leading to Imran Khan’s residence. The arrival of more PTI workers continues.

Reporters: Malik Ashraf, Tauqeer Akram and Abid Chaudhry