Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended till April 18 the bail of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in eight different cases including the judicial complex riot case.
A IHC division bench headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq passed the order after hearing arguments of both sides.
Advocate Salman Safdar appeared before the bench as counsel of the PTI Chief and moved an application seeking exemption for his client from personal appearance before the court. The bench allowed his plea.
During the proceedings, the Advocate General submitted that what would happen if Imran Khan did not appear before the court on the next date of hearing. At this, the CJ remarked that the law would take its course if he did not appear.
“The appearance of the petitioner is important for bail,” remarked CJ Farooq.
The PTI chief’s lawyer contended that over 140 baseless cases were registered against his client and the state machinery was used against him.
The petitioner said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would inaugurate lawyers’ complex in the high court today and the appearance of Imran Khan would also need security.
Thus, he said, any uncertain situation could not be overlooked, therefore the request for one day exemption of Imran Khan from personal appearance before the court be accepted.
He pointed out that the police did not provide proper security, according to the information, there were security threats to Imran Khan.
Faisal Chaudhary, the other counsel of Imran Khan, informed the court that Imran Khan was not appearing today due to security reasons.
At this, CJ observed that he saw the application and would pass an appropriate order.
The CJ also observed that contempt petition could be filed if the security issue was not addressed.
