Islamabad court extends Imran Khan's bail till Jan 31

Islamabad: An additional and sessions court in Islamabad Monday extended the interim bail of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan till January 31 in a case pertaining to the PTI protest outside the office of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Islamabad Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case.

During the hearing, Imran Khan's lawyer Babar Awan appeared before the court, and requested Imran Khan's exemption from attendance today.

The court asked the lawyer Babar Awan if his client Imran Khan will come to the court on January 31? On which lawyer replied, “Yes, now he is feeling better”.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 31.

The court today also approved the request of Chairman PTI Imran Khan for exemption from attendance on medical grounds in another case of criminal proceedings in the Tosha Khana reference.

Islamabad Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case related to criminal proceedings against Imran Khan in the Tosha Khana reference.

PTI's lawyer Ali Bukhari appeared in the court and said that he is filing a request for exemption from attendance of PTI chief on medical grounds, lawyer Ali Zafar is busy in Lahore, he will ask for Imran Khan's WhatsApp medical report.

On which the Judge Zafar Iqbal remarked that a power of attorney should be submitted on behalf of Imran Khan. The application was not even filed by Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, the junior lawyer of the Election Commission pointed that Imran Khan had not even signed the application. Judge Zafar Iqbal remarked that if the lawyer had received the letter from Imran Khan, he would have provided the certified copies of the case today.

Lawyer Ali Bukhari requested the court to issue the date of the next hearing in February.

Election commission lawyer Saad Hasan raised the objection to the request for exemption from Imran Khan's attendance and said that Khan's bail cannot be granted until he does not appear before the court, or his arrest warrant should be issued.

After a break in the hearing, the court directed the Election Commission to provide the certified copies of the case, saying that Imran Khan has to provide the copies.

The court accepted Imran Khan's request for exemption from attendance today and issued a notice to Imran Khan to attend the next hearing.

The lawyer of the Election Commission asked, whether Imran Khan's non-bailable arrest warrant was issued or bailable? On which the court remarked, Imran Khan's arrest warrant will also be looked into.

Later, the court adjourned the case till January 31.