LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to join the investigation in all the cases registered against him.
A LHC five-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqir Najfi passed the order while hearing the plea challenging cases registered against the PTI chairman.
Imran Khan also appeared before the bench.
During the hearing, the counsel of Imran Khan argued that these cases were against a 71-year-old citizen of Pakistan and it was impossible to take so many bails every day.
At this, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi remarked, “if you want to dismiss the cases, you will have to identify the points,”.
The counsel argued that there was an attack on Imran Khan in Wazirabad, and in every case, the police became claimant, this is malafide intention, it never happened before in Pakistan, wherever Imran Khan should have been a complainant the police became claimant.
At this, Justice Aliya Neelum asked the lawyer to present his plea. On it, the counsel told the bench that more than one cases on an incident was a violation of fundamental rights, all cases were filed with malice, criminal record did not start at the age of 71, but it happened to Imran Khan.
The counsel submitted that Imran Khan had so far been granted bail in 25 cases, and in each case, Imran Khan was released on bail.
“When we go for bail, they face many challenges including shelling from within the court. Since the caretaker government came, we do not get security and we come to court at our own risk,’ said the counsel.
The court asked if any new FIR was filed after five-member bench started to which the counsel replied that no new FIR was registered and it should be asked from the government which FIR had not been presented so far.
The court asked the government’s lawyer, “Why are cases still being registered despite the change in government? They are saying it’s being done to keep them away from elections,”.
On it, the law officer replied, “ They are seeking additional relief from the court because he remained the prime minister, was a party leader, and won the World Cup,”.
At this, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh observed that what was happening should not come to an end.
The judge observed, “even those who were sentenced to death have rights,”.
A government lawyer said that if Imran Khan wanted to come peacefully, nothing would happen. He used to come at night and create a protest like situation.
“Imran Khan did not join investigation in any case,” said the law officer.
At this, Justice Aliya Neelum remarked “you take bail to join investigation and we give you time. Join investigation in all the cases. You do not join investigation and a new FIR is registered,”.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh observed that joining investigation was necessary.
Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, asked the court for appearance before the investigators through the video link.
“We are ready to join investigation in all cases if it is via video link,” said the lawyer.
At this point, Imran Khan came to the rostrum and requested four minutes of time. The court granted him time.
At this, Imran Khan said he was attacked in Wazirabad, the same was going to happen in Islamabad and operation was launched against him and his home was raided. He said he did not get security.
“I’m not running away from the cases but the exposure should be less,” said Imran Khan.
At this, Justice Najfi remarked that he [Imran Khan] should feel satisfied with the court. The court directed him to join the investigation in all the cases and adjourned the hearing till Monday.