Iman Khan’s bail plea: LHC puts off further hearing till Thursday 9am

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday put off further hearing of the bail plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan till Thursday (tomorrow).

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh of the LHC passed the order on plea moved by PTI Chief in a case related to protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“The personal appearance of a suspect is necessary if he wants to get protective bail,” remarked Justice Sheikh while hearing the case.

The judge had earlier directed the IGP to produce Imran Khan under his security and observed that if he should appear before the court in ambulance if he could not walk.

However, the counsels of Imran Khan argued that Imran Khan was advised by his doctors not to walk for three weeks. They also argued that the PTI Chief should be provided bail.

The judge, however, had set 8pm for production of Imran Khan in the case.  As the court resumed hearing at the later stage, the lawyers of the PTI chief argued that it was difficult for the PTI Chief for his appearance.

At this, the judge directed the counsel to submit an affidavit and give assurance that he would bring his client by tomorrow.

During the hearing, the judge stopped Khan’s counsel Advocate Azhar Siddiqui from arguing on the case. On it, Advocate Azhar said that Imran Khan contacted him via telephone and he woud submit the power of attorney on Thursday morning (tomorrow)

Later, the judge put off further hearing of the case till 9am tomorrow [Thursday].

Imran Khan had filed the bail plea  in Lahore High Court (LHC) after an Islamabad court rejected his bail in the same case.

It may be mentioned here that an anti-terrorism court (ATC) turned down Imran Khan’s interim bail after he failed to appear before the court in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan passed the order over the non-appearance of former premier in the ECP protest case.

The court also rejected the request of Imran Khan for exemption from appearance on medical grounds and directed him to appear in person by 1:30 pm.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was on interim bail in the case and the court provided him with the opportunity to appear before it today. Babar Awan  while representing Imran Khan made plea that Imran’s interim bail be extended till Feb 27