ISLAMABAD: The Islam­abad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted interim pre-arrest bail to PTI Chairman Imran Khan in seven cases pending in different courts of the federal capital.

An IHC division bench co­m­prising Chief Justice Aa­mer Farooq and Justice Mia­n­gul Hassan Aurangzeb res­trained the police from arr­esting Mr Khan till April 6.

In the petitions filed before the IHC, the PTI chief sought interim bail in cases registered against him at Golra, Bara Kahu, Ramna, Khanna and CTD police stations of Islamabad.

He contended that being head of the ‘single largest political party,’ there was an apprehension that his political adversaries and opponents would be able to further their nefarious designs and political ambitions if pre-arrest bail was not allowed.

Responds to Sana, says he’ll be ‘last man standing’; LHC forms larger bench to take up PTI chief’s plea

The IHC registrar’s office has raised objections on bail petitions stating that these could have been filed before trial courts.

Mr Khan’s counsel Barris­ter Salman Safdar argued that the ex-premier was facing serious threats and his appearance in the district courts or the federal judicial complex could create a law and order situation.

Justice Farooq remarked that such situations were a result of bringing 10,000 supporters to courts.

“We do not call anyone. People come by themselves,” replied Barrister Safdar. The court was also told that the government has withdrawn the security of the ex-premier.

The bench reprimanded Islamabad Advocate Gen­e­ral Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon for not providing security and sought a reply from the federal government. Subsequently, the court decided to conduct the hearing of all seven bail petitions in the IHC premises until the security issue was resolved.

The advocate general told the IHC that for Mr Khan’s last appearance on March 18, the trial court was shifted from F-8 Katcheri to the Judicial Complex but the PTI chairman did not come out of his car and his supporters set cars parked in the vicinity on fire.

During the hearing, Mr Khan approached the rostrum to address the bench, but the chief justice advised him to take his seat as his counsel was there to speak on his behalf.

Mr Khan’s counsel also argued against the objection regarding his biometric verification saying that after the age of 60, biometric verification becomes difficult.

‘The last man standing’

Before Mr Khan arrived to appear before the court, heavy contingents of police were deployed in the surrounding area of the IHC. He was escorted to the courtroom while being covered with ballistic shields.

In an informal interaction with media persons before the appearance, the PTI chairman was asked about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s said that the doors for talks always remain open in politics. Those who have been playing by collaborating with the umpire, what would they know about a level-playing field, he added.

During an unofficial talk with media persons before his appearance, the PTI chief was asked about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s recent remarks that Mr Khan has brought politics to a point where only one of them could exist.

The former prime minister replied that he wished both remain but if Mr Sanaullah was saying that then “I will just say that he won’t remain.”

He also reiterated his willingness to talk, saying: “For politicians, the doors for talks remain open. Those who have been playing by collaborating with the umpire, what would they know about a level-playing field.”

The PTI chairman also filed an application before the IHC against Mr Sanaullah’s statement calling it “threatening”.

Later on Monday, Mr Khan accused the authorities of “using violence” against his supporters during the appearance.

“As witnessed in [the] Judicial Complex on 18 March, today again peaceful PTI workers & even our photographer were attacked & arrested by police & plainclothes ppl from Agencies — the Namalooms,” Mr Khan tweeted while sharing tweets of a foreign journalist who claimed the police started unprovoked baton charge and detained PTI workers outside the court.

“This is the height of provocation using violence against peaceful citizens & abducting them,” he added.

LHC CJ forms full bench

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti has constituted a full bench to hear the PTI chairman’s petition seeking details of cases registered against him in different cities.

The full bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Alia Neelum, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun and Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq would soon take up the matter.

Wajih Ahmad Sheikh in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2023