LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday approved protective bails of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in nine cases after he appeared in person before the court.
In nine cases, Imran Khan had approached the court earlier in the day for protective bail. Four of those cases are registered in Lahore and five in Islamabad.
A two-member bench of LHC comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Farooq Haider held the hearing on bail pleas against the cases lodged under terrorism sections.
For the five cases in Islamabad, the LHC granted bail to the former prime minister till March 24, and for the four cases in Lahore, Imran Khan received bail for ten days till March 27.
Meanwhile, Justice Tariq Saleem will also hear the bail pleas that Imran Khan filed against the civil cases registered against him.
Meanwhile, a score of PTI workers shielded the party chief’s home to thwart his arrest as Imran Khan waited to hear the court ruling on whether security forces could again come to arrest him for failing to appear before the court.
Ahead of the LHC decision, a tense calm prevailed in Zaman Park, which earlier this week was the scene of hostilities between Punjab Police and PTI workers that were advancing on Imran Khan’s house to produce the former prime minister before the court in the Toshakhana gifts case in which the former premier is accused of selling state gifts without due legal process.
Imran Khan denies the charges.
Imran Khan’s supporters stood guard outside Zaman Park residence
Witnesses said Imran Khan’s supporters, armed with iron rods and sticks, stood guard outside his Zaman Park residence.
During today’s hearing against the operation at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence — resumed by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh — the IG Punjab, the advocate general, and Fawad Chaudhry appeared in the court.
Praising the decision of Justice Tariq Saleem, Fawad Chaudhry said: “The lives of the people of Lahore have been saved because of you.”
He said that the police had assured the security of the PTI chief. “We have backed off from holding a public rally in Lahore; however, we will hold one on Monday,” Fawad added.
Justice Tariq Saleem remarked that he had proposed postponing the public rally. He said they had submitted Imran Khan’s surety bonds.
The judge said everyone must follow the law. He said that he would not spare the wrongdoers. “We have installed CCTV cameras, and I will not stop action against the violators of law and order,” he said.
IG Punjab said he had directed the political party not to turn any part of the city into a “no-go area.”
Justice Tariq Saleem directed Fawad Chaudhry to submit an application before any public gathering. The court also remarked that the use of containers should be avoided to block the roads.
The advocate general of Punjab said that they needed access to the Zaman Park area.
At this, Fawad Chaudhry said that the government wanted access to arrest PTI supporters. “Arrest people after nominating them in criminal cases,” he added.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim assured the court of the former prime minister’s appearance.
Justice Saleem said an application should be filed for the PTI chief’s security.
Justice Saleem will also decide on the method to implement the arrest warrant, it was observed.
Later, Justice Saleem adjourned the hearing till 3 pm and asked the parties involved to reach a deal and present it before the court.
When the hearing resumed, Imran Khan’s counsel Ishtiaq Chaudhry read the terms of reference (TORs) agreed upon between the police and PTI.
He informed the court that PTI Senator Shibli Faraz would coordinate with the police to provide security to Imran Khan.
The agreement also states that the Minar-e-Pakistan rally of PTI will be held on Monday instead of Sunday. It has also been agreed a new request for the public gathering will be filed.
According to the agreement, the PTI would nominate two persons to assist the people involved in the incidents that occurred on March 14 and March 15.
However, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said the agreement’s language needs to be fixed and drafted again.
“The word TOR is not right; fix the language again,” the judge remarked. He added that the court could not stop police from holding investigations.
Meanwhile, Fawad Chaudhry told the court that the party did not want to be a target of revenge.
