ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan, received confirmation of his bail in five terrorism cases by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan on Monday. The court also extended interim bail in three additional cases filed by the capital police under anti-terrorism laws.
ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan presided over the hearing of the bail petitions in which Imran Khan appeared before the court accompanied by his legal team.
During the proceedings, Imran Khan’s counsel, Salman Safdar Advocate, highlighted that his client had fully cooperated with the investigation in all cases, having appeared before the joint investigation team (JIT) and providing satisfactory answers to their inquiries. Safdar further emphasized Khan’s clean character record and his numerous contributions to the country, including his achievements as a sportsman and his exemplary social services through Shaukat Khanum Hospital.
The lawyer reiterated that Imran Khan has consistently respected the judiciary by appearing before the courts whenever required. Given his age of 71, Safdar argued that his client was entitled to the relief sought. He also mentioned that over 150 cases had been registered against Imran Khan since 2022, without substantial evidence proving his involvement in inciting violence among his followers.
Prosecutor Alleges PTI Chief of Inciting Violence
The prosecutor countered by stating that Imran Khan had only participated in the investigation of five out of the total cases. However, he acknowledged that the court had already granted bail to other co-accused individuals in a case registered by the Sangjani police station. The prosecutor alleged that Imran Khan had instigated protesters to resort to violence and urged the petitioner to present evidence supporting allegations of dishonesty to the prosecution.
The prosecutor further claimed that, based on eyewitness accounts, Imran Khan had given instructions to his party workers from his vehicle during the protests, resulting in attacks on the judicial complex and the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He argued that the application of ATC sections in these cases had already been endorsed by the IHC.
The court took note of the cases scheduled for July 4 in another court and expressed the intention to set the same date for the present cases due to security concerns.
Imran Khan, addressing the court, asserted that he had never incited his followers to commit acts of violence. His lawyer reiterated that Imran Khan had arrived at the judicial complex solely for a court appearance and had no connection to the acts of violence and vandalism that occurred there.
After considering the arguments, the court confirmed Imran Khan’s bail in five cases and extended interim bail in the remaining three cases until July 4.
