LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday dismissed pre-arrest bail of PTI MPA Hafiz Farhat Abbas for his absence in three cases of May 9 riots.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill resumed hearing on the bail petitions, however, the PTI leader did not appear before the court.

A lawyer filed an application on behalf of the MPA seeking a one-time exemption from personal appearance. However, the judge turned down the request, observing that the suspect was also absent on several previous hearings of the bail.

The judge dismissed the pre-arrest bail of Abbas for non-prosecution.

The PTI leader had sought bail in three cases, including attack on Jinnah House in Cantonment and Askari Tower at Liberty roundabout, during the protests of May 9 against the arrest of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

NOTICES: Justice Farooq Haider of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the federal and provincial governments on a petition by a sister of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan seeking details of the cases registered against him.

Noreen Niazi through a counsel contended that her brother was being continuously targeted for political revenge by implicating him in new cases.

She argued that every citizen has the right to be informed of the cases filed against them.

She stated that there are unknown cases registered against Imran Khan, and asked the court to order the authorities to furnish details of all cases against him. She also urged the court to prevent his brother’s arrest in any unknown case.

The judge directed a law officer to submit replies on behalf of the respondents by Nov 12.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024