Islamabad (Web Desk): The security around the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been beefed up as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan is appearing in the court for hearings in nine cases.
According to details, a two-member bench led by IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Aamer Farooq, will hear the pleas at 2pm today.
On April 18, the IHC had extended Imran's bail in eight cases till May 3. On Wednesday, the PTI chief failed to appear as his lawyers told the court that the former premier could not arrive due to pain and swelling in his leg.
The court had granted him a day’s time to appear in court, warning him that his bail petitions would be dismissed if he failed to do so.
Ahead of Imran Khan's departure to the federal capital, the PTI released a video message of the former premier.
Khan said he was going to the IHC despite pain and swelling in the leg as the court has summoned him and he respected the courts.
"I want to say that we respect the courts, unlike those, who, at all times, do all kinds of low acts and carry out propaganda against the judges if decisions are not in their favour," the former premier said.
The PTI chief further claimed that he had informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that a bid was made to assassinate him.
Imran Khan once again slammed an army official whom he named ‘Dirty Harry’ for planning an 'attack' against him.
"If anything happens to me, he [Dirty Harry] will be the one responsible for it," the former premier said.
The PTI chief called on his supporters to take to the streets on May 6 for one hour in a show of solidarity with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.
Khan said that his party would be holding four rallies on Saturday, in Lahore, Islamabad,
Rawalpindi and Peshawar, with him leading the Lahore one, to “tell the CJP that the nation is standing with him”.
The former premier also criticised the incumbent government for "running from the elections" which were supposed to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.
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Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of Islamabad Police, Frontier Constabulary and Rangers personnel deployed at various locations near the IHC and outside the court’s main gate.
Only permitted persons would be allowed inside the IHC, including Imran’s 15 lawyers, 10 lawyers from the advocate general’s and attorney general’s offices and 30 members of the High Court Journalists’ Association.
In a tweet, the Islamabad police said that security arrangements have been made for Imran Khan’s appearance according to the court order. All arrangements are as usual, which were also made at previous hearings.
It added that protection of the citizens’ life and belongings is the police’s responsibility.
"It is requested from the public to refrain from propaganda and rumours," the statement said.
Earlier on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Islamabad police tweeted that a ban on all public gatherings was applied in the federal capital under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in relation to Imran Khan's appearance at the IHC.
