The Lahore High Court (LHC) granted PTI chief Imran Khan protective bail in one case registered against him in Islamabad while the second plea, pertaining to protests outside the ECP, was disposed of after the ex-premier withdrew his petition as he appeared before the court after repeated absences and amid a huge drama, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Imran Khan attended the hearing only after the LHC division bench gave him more time and made it mandatory for him to reach the courtroom as he was already on the LHC premises. 

After an in-person appearance of the former premier, the LHC division bench consisting of Justice Ali Baqir Najafi and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi granted him bail till March 3.

Imran Khan reached the LHC premises but failed to get into the courtroom as the hearing started in one of his applications for protective bail as a large number of PTI supporters made it impossible for him to leave his car.

Imran Khan’s lawyer told the court that his client was sitting in a car near the ramp but could not reach the courtroom due to inadequate security arrangements.

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The lawyer told the court that SSP security was standing near Imran Khan’s vehicle to provide security.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi ordered the SSP security to bring Imran Khan into the court in five minutes.

The court directed SP Civil Lines to provide security to Imran Khan.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi said they appreciate that Imran Khan has reached the court premises as he was is voluntarily appearing before the court.

He said the court will never ask him to appear but for interim bail, it is necessary that the accused should appear in court.

SSP Shoaib also appeared in the court and told the court that Imran Khan was present outside the court of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi asked if Imran Khan was outside the court or in the car.

SSP said Imran Khan was sitting in the car as his lawyers were not letting him out

Upon this Justice Ali Baqir Najafi said Imran Khan does not want to come to court.

The division bench adjourned the hearing once again till 7:30pm, directing the security officials to pave way for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to reach the courtroom.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed there were “thousands” of people present outside the court and security arrangements were almost “non-existent”. He said it was “impossible” for Imran to step out of his car in such a situation.

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He reiterated that it was “impossible” to bring the PTI chief from his vehicle to the courtroom. “We are present in the courtroom and are requesting that our attendance is marked and our bail petition is heard. Our lawyers are present and prepared to satisfy them (judges),” Qureshi added.

He repeated that Imran was sitting in his vehicle but that it was “impossible” for him to step out of it due to the risk of further worsening his leg injury.

Imran’s convoy was showered with rose petals as it made its way to the LHC with a large number of PTI supporters surrounding the cars and chanting slogans in support of the former prime minister.

In the first hearing, a two-judge LHC bench was set to take up Imran’s bail plea in a case registered against him in Islamabad. The court gave Imran 10 minutes to appear, saying that the court staff would leave once the time lapsed. However, Imran’s lawyers assured the court that the PTI chairman would appear.

Separately, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh instructed the former prime minister to appear in court in person while hearing his protective bail petition in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Justice Sheikh passed these directives after Imran failed to meet the court’s order to appear in person by 2pm today.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan left his Zaman Park residence at last amid tight security to appear at the Lahore High Court.

Earlier, the Lahore High Court gave another opportunity to PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before it regarding his protective bail after he did not show up at 2:00 pm hearing.

LHC’s Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said that Imran Khan should appear in court at 5:00 pm today and this is going to be the last chance for him.

Imran Khan’s lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim informed the court that the signatures on the protective bail plea were not of the PTI chief, so they wanted to withdraw it.

On this, the judge remarked if Imran Khan did not file this application then how he can move to withdraw it.

The judge further said the hearing cannot be adjourned after every few minutes. 

Imran’s counsel asked the court to dispose of the plea, but the judge responded: “The hearing will go on.”

Then the judge addressed Imran’s lawyer, saying “Your approach should be apologetic. I will issue a show-cause notice to you, get the response ready.”

Earlier, the court was due to take up Imran Khan’s plea at 2:00 pm and he also showed his willingness to appear but well after the fixed time passed, the PTI chief’s lawyers informed the court that they wanted to withdraw the application.

Justice Tariq Saleem conducted the hearing regarding protective bail and for explanation about Imran Khan’s unmatching signatures on the power of attorney document.

When asked to present arguments in support of the application, Imran Khan’s lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim told the court that they wanted to withdraw their application.

He informed the court that they met the court registrar and the police officials to discuss the security of Imran Khan but it went unheeded as there was a traffic jam on the Mall Road.

Justice Tariq Saleem remarked that all litigant coming to the court are equal and Imran Khan cannot be given separate treatment.

On Sunday, Imran Khan said that he will appear in court. There were reports that he will be accompanied by senior PTI leaders and party workers have been directed to gather neary LHC at GPO Chowk on The Mall Road. 

The hearing of a case against the jurisdiction of the caretaker government will also be held. A five-member larger bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, will conduct the hearing.

The larger bench was to hear petitions against appointments and transfers of officers and removal of directors of the public sector companies.

The petitions had been filed by PTI leader Hammad Azhar and others.

A petition against the appointment of DG Anti-Corruption Sohail Zafar Chatta will also be heard.

A five-member larger bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, will hear the petition against the DG Anti-Corruption.

PTI leader Asad Umar had challenged the appointment of the DG Anti-Corruption.

An appeal of the election commission against the decision of the high court’s single bench to hold elections within 90 days will also be heard.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir, will hear the election commission’s appeal.

A petition against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on the charge of allegedly scandalising the Supreme Court will also be heard.

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh will hear the petition filed by Rana Shahid Advocate.

A petition for the dismissal of cases registered against PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi under the anti-terrorism provisions will also be heard.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, will hear the petition of Moonis Elahi.

A petition for the removal of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s name from Exit Control List (ECL) will be heard.

Justice Jawad Hassan will hear the petition of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. Hafeezur Rehman Chaudhry Advocate will appear on behalf of Shahbaz Gill.

A petition on ordering the President of Pakistan to announce the date for the Punjab Assembly elections will also be heard.

Justice Jawad Hassan will hear the petition filed by a citizen named Munir Ahmed.

Petitions against the suspension of notification, declaring Gujrat as division and Wazirabad as district will also be heard.

Justice Shahid Karim will hear the petition, challenging the caretaker government’s authority to suspend the notification.

A petition against the appointment of University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Waheed Rathore will be heard.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan will hear the petition of Dr Asad Aslam.

Other important cases will also be heard in the LHC.

Reporter: Malik Ashraf