LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has been given time till 5pm to appear before the Lahore High Court in a case pertaining to a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Last week, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh directed Imran’s counsel to present the former prime minister in court on Monday (today) at 2:00pm.
The former prime minister was expected to appear before the Lahore High Court (LHC) to attend the hearing of the protective bail plea filed by him but his lawyers told the high court that The Mall Road was clogged and he could be brought to court only of the passage was clear.
Justice Sheikh in his remarks asked Azhar Siddique’s advocate to ensure the presence of his client in the court. “We are giving you time until 5pm to present Imran Khan before the court.”
Siddique’s plea to adjourn the case hearing until tomorrow was rejected by the LHC. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh remarked Azhar Siddique can be served with a contempt notice. Khan’s counsels were given until 5pm to present him before the LHC.
Security measures
Strict security measures have been taken at the high court to avoid any untoward situation as Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has suspended hearing of all other cases.
PTI chief’s lawyer Azhar Siddique and party leaders, including Shibli Faraz and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, reached the court.
Imran Khan’s private security team also visited the LHC.
Earlier in the day, an administrative judge of the LHC rejected a petition seeking permission for entry of PTI chairman Imran Khan’s vehicle on court premise owing to security threats.
Zaman Park
Meanwhile, a large number of PTI workers started to reach Zaman Park, the sources said and added that a special security squad will leave with Imran Khan on the expected court appearance, later in the day today.
Former minister and PTI leader Farrukh Habib said the LHC admin judge has been asked to allow Imran Khan’s vehicle to enter the court premises due to security threats.
سیکورٹی کے پیش نظرLHCکےایڈمن جج سےعمران خان کی گاڑی کوعدالتی احاطے میں لےجانے کی اجازت طلب کی ہے
عمران خان پرپہلے قاتلانہ حملہ ہوچکا ان پر دوبارہ قاتلانہ حملہ کا شدید خطرہ موجود ہے
ڈاکٹرز نےٹانگ کی Tibia ہڈی فریکچر ریکوری کےلئے دھکم پیل اور جھٹکا سے احتیاط کی سخت ہدایات دی ہیں— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) February 20, 2023
Last hearing
On Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, seeking protective bail in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Read more: LHC rejects Imran Khan’s plea seeking protective bail
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh resumed the hearing on Imran Khan’s petition seeking protective bail after an Islamabad court rejected former prime minister’s bail.
During the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said the petitioner had been summoned for 6:30pm, but he failed to appear.
Imran Khan’s lawyer said that his client would appear within a few minutes as he is on his way to the court. However, the division bench argued that the former premier should have appeared within the stipulated time given to him.
The lawyers tried to stop the court but it dismissed the plea, stating that neither the petitioner nor his senior counsel were present in the court, therefore, the petition is being dismissed.
The case
Several members of the local leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were booked in a case over alleged vandalism during the protests in Islamabad after ECP disqualified the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief in Toshakhana reference.
Cases were also registered against PTI leaders including Senator Faisal Javed, Aamir Kayani, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Rashid Hafeez, Umer Tanveer Butt, Rashid Naeem Abbasi and Raja Majid.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p).
