Imran tells LHC his state of affairs is ‘extraordinary’; seeks extension in protecting bail in 5 instances – Pakistan
PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday reached Lahore Excessive Courtroom (LHC) to increase his protecting bail in 5 instances filed in opposition to him in Islamabad, together with two for “vandalism” on the Islamabad Judicial Complicated and excessive court docket.
The previous premier had been granted protective bail within the 5 instances on March 17 when he secured protecting bail in a complete of 9 instances — the 4 others being in Lahore.
Right now, a two-member bench comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Anwaar Hussain is listening to his plea. Imran is being represented by Barrister Salman Safdar.
As he arrived exterior the court docket, Imran was requested by a reporter whether or not he thought the Election Fee of Pakistan’s deferral of the Punjab elections to October could be struck down by the Supreme Courtroom.
The PTI posted a video of Imran’s Nissan pickup truck arriving to the Lahore Excessive Courtroom as supporters and his safety jogged beside the car within the rain. Imran may be seen disembarking from his car shortly after.
“If the ECP resolution just isn’t quashed, how will elections happen in October?” he responded. “On this approach, they’ll say they don’t have any cash.”
“The regulation of the jungle is prevailing right here,” he added.
Hearing
The hearing began soon after Imran reached the courtroom.
“Objections have been raised on Imran Khan’s petitions that they have been filed again,” said Barrister Safdar as he began to speak. “Imran Khan stood outside the Judicial Complex for 40 minutes to get bail in these cases.”
Safdar told the court that Imran had not “misused the bail” and that two new cases had been filed against him in Islamabad. In the present circumstances, he cannot go to the Judicial Complex in Islamabad, Imran’s lawyer added.
“Imran Khan is a former Prime Minister and has security threats,” the lawyer said, lamenting that he “has no security”.
Imran then arrived at the lectern.
His lawyer Salman Safdar continued: “We have requested an extension in the bail which was already obtained.”
Justice Sheikh responded: “According to me, there is no such law [to extend protective bail].”
Safdar argued that Imran’s “conduct is in front of everyone and that cases were being filed against him — and we are facing them”.
Justice Sheikh, however, told him that they should have approached the Islamabad High Court instead.
“We have been considering this since yesterday, but Imran Khan has a security issue,” Safdar replied, adding that Imran had come to court today with his security.
Then Imran spoke.
He said: “It took me a long time to get from Islamabad Toll Plaza to the court. So many police and FC personnel were deployed that it seemed like a criminal was coming.
“Stones were being pelted, [teargas] shells were being fired — my life was in danger. My life was in danger, that’s why we returned [to Lahore]. If you watch the video, I was waiting outside the Judicial Complex for 40 minutes.
“What is happening to me is extraordinary. I have 40 cases of terrorism against me.”
More to follow
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