Lahore (Web Desk): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday ordered the authorities to not "harass" Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan and instructed them to ensure that the former premier is treated in accordance with the law.
A five-member bench of the LHC comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun and Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq issued the order.
The PTI chief had moved the LHC seeking the details of the cases registered against him and the possibility of an operation by the government at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore during Eid holidays.
PTI lawyers Barrister Salman Safdar and Advocate Azhar Siddique filed the petition.
Imran Khan appeared at the court himself for the hearing along with other leaders of his party.
The court earlier reserved its verdict on the petition filed by the PTI chief.
The verdict stated that the former premier should be treated according to the law as per the assurance given by the lawyer of the Punjab government.
In its order, the court mentioned that Imran Khan should not be illegally harassed until the next hearing.
At the outset of the hearing, Khan's lawyer Salman Safdar informed the court at the that numerous cases had been filed against his client.
He said that 80 complaints been filed against the PTI chief in Punjab only.
"Courts have the ability to investigate police misconduct, and we want the bench to do the same in this case as well," the PTI lawyer said.
Justice Najafi then stated that he had earlier voiced his displeasure with the circumstance outside Zaman Park.
The judge was referring to the three-day-long police action outside Imran’s residence last month. The operation had resulted in violent clashes between officials and PTI supporters, leaving dozens injured.
During the hearing today, the PTI chief’s lawyer said that his client had received credible information regarding another operation outside Zaman Park during the Eid holidays.
“Give us relief for five days,” he requested, saying that “for five days the doors of the court will be closed”.
“The doors of justice are never closed,” Justice Najafi replied.
On Monday, the PTI chief moved the LHC regarding fears that the government may launch a fresh “operation” during Eidul Fitr holidays at his residence in a bid to arrest him.
Meanwhile, the court rejected the former prime minister’s request for holding an urgent hearing on the plea.
Khan’s case has been fixed for hearing on May 2, the court stated and added that there is no need for an urgent hearing.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday extended Imran’s interim bail in eight cases pertaining to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex till May 3.
A two-member IHC division bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, accepted the PTI chairman’s request for a bail extension and exemption from appearing before the court today.
The cases were registered against Imran at Golra, Bara Kahu, Ramna, Khanna, and CTD police stations after the police accused the PTI chief and party workers of being involved in attacking police and creating unrest outside the FJC in Islamabad during the hearing of the Toshakhana case on March 18.
