Lahore (Web Desk): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday approved protective bail of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan's protective bail in a case registered against him in Islamabad.
A two-member bench led by Justice Najafi conducted the hearing on the case and accepted the PTI chief’s plea to grant him a protective bail till March 3.
The court had ordered that Imran’s physical presence be ensured. The court directed to present Imran by 7:30pm and adjourned the hearing.
When the hearing resumed, the former premier finally appeared in the courtroom. Taking the rostrum,
Khan said that his leg had recovered to an extent but the doctors had still told him to rest for two weeks.
The PTI chief said that his medical checkup was scheduled for February 28. Imran added that he had waited outside the courtroom for an hour, adding that he “fully respects the courts.”
The court, granting protective bail to Imran till March 3, directed him to approach the relevant court by then.
Separately, PTI Chairman Imran Khan also appeared before Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh of the LHC as the honourable justice had instructed the former premier 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.
As the proceedings commenced today, Justice Sheikh inquired about the whereabouts of the PTI chief’s lawyer. “The case was fixed for 2pm,” he pointed out.
Advocate Intizar Panjhota replied that Imran’s lawyer was on the way. “He maybe be stuck in traffic and will soon arrive,” he said, after which the judge adjourned the hearing for a while.
When Khan's lawyer, Khawaja Tariq Rahim, appeared in court, he said that his client had reached out to the Punjab inspector-general. “We were told that traffic on the Mall Road would be empty at the time of today’s hearing.
“We were also told to reach out to the registrar for security inside the court,” he said. “But the registrar rejected our request for entrance from the Mosque Gate.”
Moreover, Rahim contended that the Regal Road was jammed pack today. “Imran Khan has himself said in the media that he will go to court. But the situation is such that there are security concerns.”
He went on to say that if his client got the Mall Road “free”, Imran could appear before the court tomorrow (Tuesday).
At this, thew judge said: “The law is the same for everyone. He [Imran] should come from where every common man comes.”
Justice Sheikh then instructed the lawyer to begin his arguments on the petition.
Here, Khawaja Tariq Rahim said that Imran wanted to withdraw the bail petition.
“Present your arguments on the difference in the signatures,” the judge interjected.
Khan’s lawyer admitted that there was a difference in the signatures on the affidavit and the power of attorney. “Imran Khan has not filed the protective bail,” he said.
“Imran Khan can even submit this in writing to the court,” he added.
The ex-premier’s lawyer then sought time till 5pm, promising that Imran would appear before the court by then.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh accepted the request and said that this was the “last chance”.
Earlier, the PTI chief reached the LHC after he was given the “last chance” to appear before the court by 5pm in the ECP protest case.
A large number of party workers and supporters have gathered outside the court to welcome him.
The former prime minister arrived at the LHC amid tight security.
Imran Khan was summoned by the court when it had convened last week and noticed the discrepancy in the petition he had filed.
The former prime minister was summoned by the court when he approached LHC to seek bail in a terror case registered against him over alleged vandalism during the protests in Islamabad against his disqualification by the ECP. However, he was unwilling to appear due to security concerns.
Khan had moved the high court after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad cancelled his bail over non-appearance.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh had directed the PTI chief to appear in person in the case but he failed to do so despite multiple adjournments during the last hearing.
During the the hearing, Khan’s lawyer Siddique asked the court that he will be withdrawing the petition.
But the court rejected the request as he had noticed that there are different signs of Khan on the affidavit and power of attorney.
The judge then took notice of the different signatures and adjourned the hearing briefly.
After Khan's lawyer request for further time, the court had adjourned the hearing till February 20 (today).
