News Desk
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad rejected the request of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan for an extension in his interim bail here on Wednesday. The case related to a protest outside the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) following its decision in the Toshakhana case. The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan.
According to the short order released by the court, several opportunities have been provided to the applicant (Imran Khan) to put up an appearance before the court but have yet to be successful.
The order further maintained that the PTI chief’s instant pre-arrest bail was preferred on Oct 24. However, the PTI Chief failed to appear before the court on subsequent due dates including Oct 31, Nov and 28, Dec 9, and 19, Jan 10 and 31, Feb 10, and twice today.
After being not present in court several times, the order further recalled that the matter could not be stretched for an indefinite period, with no more opportunities.
ATC rejects Imran Khan’s request for bail
The order further revealed that it is “sine qua non” (absolutely necessary) for the petitioner to put up an appearance before the court on the due date when the issue was fixed for the final order.
The order further maintained that the pre-arrest bail petition is dismissed due to the non-appearance of petitioner Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.
The said terrorism case was filed against Imran in October 2022 when PTI workers and supporters took to the streets and held demonstrations outside the offices of ECP across the country after it disqualified the former prime minister in the Toshakhana reference. Meanwhile, clashes were also reported between the police and protesters in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, and other areas.
Earlier today, the court rejected the former prime minister’s request for an appearance in the court on medical grounds.
In an order announced at 1:20 pm on Wednesday, the ATC judge said that Imran Khan “should appear” in court by 1:30 pm.
The PTI chief Imran Khan has been convalescing in his Zaman Park residence in Lahore since he was injured in an assassination attempt during a stopover in Wazirabad while they were marching towards Islamabad.
During the hearing, the lawyer of Imran Babar Awan told the court that Imran Khan tried to travel to Islamabad but could not.
Last time, the court granted the PTI chief the last opportunity to appear on February 15.
