IHC CJ grants interim bail to Imran Khan in seven cases

Bars govt from arresting PTI chief: Two-judge bench hears petitions along with objections raised by registrar office: CJ tells Imran that he must go to anti-terrorism court to get permanent bail, seeks reply from federal govt why did it withdraw former premier’s security: Section 144 imposed in federal capital: IHC adjourns plea seeking details of cases against Imran till tomorrow 

Published: 09:26 AM, 27 Mar, 2023
Pakistan
Imran Khan leaves for Islamabad to file bail pleas in IHC
Caption: Representational image.

The Islamabad High Court has ordered the government not to arrest PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in seven cases for which he has filed protective bail in the court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Two-judge IHC bench led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted the hearing of the case and granted interim bail to Imran Khan in seven cases and issued notice to the federal government.

During the proceedings, IHC CJ Aamer Farooq remarked that it was not a wise move on the part of the government to withdraw PTI chief’s security. 

While granting interim bail to Imran Khan, the CJ told him that he must go to the anti-terrorism court to get permanent bail. 

“However, we will hear your case in this court till the issue of your security is resolved,” the chief justice said. 

He also sought a reply from the federal government why did it withdraw the former prime minister’s security. 

CJ Farooq asked Imran’s lawyer Salman Safdar to explain why he bypassed the trial court and moved to the IHC. 

The lawyer said that the Lahore High Court granted protective bail to Imran but when his client went to appear before the sessions court the very next day, he was not granted permission to enter the court. 

He said that Imran was facing extreme security threats and a law and order situation was created on his arrival to the Judicial Complex. 

On this, CJ Farooq remarked that today again there was a law and order situation. 

The lawyer didn’t agree with the judge saying the law and order was under control today. 

The chief justice remarked if 5,000 to 10,000 people throng the place, then the law and order situation creates. 

The lawyer said the PTI chief doesn’t ask people to come to the court.

The chief justice remarked the court understands that his client is the head of a big political party and he has his following. 

He said that the security threats to the former premier must be genuine as he had been attacked once.

Justice Hassan remarked that the court had asked the chief election commissioner to provide security to Khan several times.

At this, Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Jadoon maintained that the trial court was shifted to the judicial complex from F8 katchehri court.

"Imran Khan has the responsibility to ensure a peaceful environment. He didn't even get off the car and people burned cars," he said.

At this, Justice Farooq remarked what the petitioner would do if the administration gave irresponsible statements.

At one point, Imran Khan tried to come to the rostrum but CJ Farooq asked him to sit on his seat as his lawyer would give arguments. 

During the hearing, a heated argument took place between Islamabad advocate general and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry over security issue. 

When advocate general said that he, too, talked about security, Fawad told him off saying he did not talk about it.  

Fawad said the AG was lying. 

On this, the AG said ‘no one lies more than Fawad’. 

The court, however, asked both of them not to indulge in cross talk. 

Earlier, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan filed seven petitions in the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in seven cases registered against him following clashes between the PTI workers and the police on his arrival at Federal Judicial Complex on March 18.

The two-judge bench heard his petitions along with the objections raised earlier by the registrar office. 

The pleas, filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, stated that Imran would suffer “irreparable loss” if he was arrested.

The PTI chairman was seeking bail in seven cases registered against him at Golra, Bara Kahu, Ramna, Khanna, and CTD police stations. 

The cases are related to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex on March 18 — where Imran had appeared in the Toshakhana case.

Earlier, the IHC registrar office raised two objections to the petitions. It objected that Imran Khan’s bio matric was not certified and how the petitions could be filed in the IHC prior to their filing in a trial court. 

Security officials stop Imran's vehicle at IHC gate

When Imran Khan reached the court, security stopped his vehicle at the IHC gate. They said that extra people were sitting in the SUV. They said that only Imran and his vehicle were permitted to go inside the court. 

The security officials disembarked Saifullah Niazi and Sheharyar Afridi from the vehicle. 

Saifullah Niazi reached the court in the vehicle of the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister.

The security officials have covered the screen of bullet-proof vehicle of Imran Khan with a bullet-proof jacket. 

The PTI on its official Twitter account uploaded a video showing the PTI chairman entering the court and his vehicle surrounded by security officials. 

PTI chief left for Islamabad amid tight security 

Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan left for Islamabad from Zaman Park, Lahore to file eight petitions in the IHC seeking bail in eight cases of vandalism and terrorism registered against him in the federal capital following his arrival at the Judicial Complex on March 18.

The PTI chairman left his residence amid tight security. PTI leaders including Ijaz Chaudhry, Musarrat Cheema, Azam Swati and others also accompanied the party head.

Imran Khan reached Islamabad via Motorway. 

The Lahore High Court has granted him protective bail in five cases till March 27 (today).

IGP chairs meeting to review security measures 

Meanwhile, a meeting was held under the chair of Islamabad IG police to review the security arrangements in connection with PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrival at Islamabad High Court today.

The meeting was attended by the DIG police, SSP Operations and other high-ranking officers. .

A central control room has been set up at Safe City Headquarters. 

As per the court order, only relevant persons have been allowed to enter the court premises. 

SSP Yasir Afridi would oversee the security arrangements. 

Amir Kiyani would be the focal person of the PTI. He assured cooperation from the party. 

In its tweet, the Islamabad police warned that “Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad and arrests will be made in case the section is violated. In the light of court orders, only concerned persons will be allowed to enter the court premises.”

IHC adjourns plea seeking details of cases against Imran 

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking details of cases against PTI Chairman Imran Khan till tomorrow (Tuesday). 

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday heard the petition.

The counsel for state and federation requested for extra time to provide details of cases against Imran.

Accepting his request, the chief justice put off the case till tomorrow. 

CJ’s quip over security arrangements 

At the outset of the hearing, an interesting conversation took place between the chief justice and the lawyers.

Lawyer Faisal Farid told the court that he was stopped 1km away from the court as the IHC parking was closed. 

Lawyer Latif Khosa also complained about parking issue and requested the chief justice to direct the police officials not to adopt this behavior with lawyers.

On this, Chief Justice Farooq told them that he, too, used a zigzag route and passed through a container to reach the court. 

“Your party leader is coming today. This security is for him,” the CJ quipped. 

PTI lawyer Faisal Farid submitted a copy of yesterday’s statement of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to the court. 

Reporters Ehtisham Kiyani, Mehr Ali Akbar and Farzana Siddique

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