ISLAMABAD
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has rejected the bail application of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in a case pertaining to PTI’s protest against the ECP verdict.
The ATC court had summoned Imran Khan in person to appear before the court today. But the PTI chief chose not to appear before the court. Instead, his lawyer filed an application on his behalf seeking his exemption from court appearance on medical grounds.
But ATC Judge Jawad Abbas rejected PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s application and summoned him to appear before the court by 2:30pm. As the clock struck 2:30 pm and Imran did not appear, Judge Jawad Abbas rejected his bail application.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has barred a banking court from further action against Imran Khan who was ordered to appear before it today. The ATC and banking courts in Islamabad on Wednesday ordered Imran Khan to appear before them today rejecting his applications seeking exemption from appearance.
First, banking court rejected Imran Khan’s application and hours later the anti-terrorism court ordered the PTI chief to appear before it by 1:30 pm today which he ignored. The banking court has, however, directed him to appear until the court rises for the day today.
Earlier in the day, a banking court in Islamabad has ordered Chairman Imran Khan to appear before it today, rejecting his application seeking exemption from appearance. The PTI, however, has challenged the banking court’s order in Islamabad High Court.
Directing the registrar office to mark number on the petition filed by Imran Khan against a banking court’s decision ordering him to appear before it today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) admitted his petition for hearing along with objections.
A two-member bench of the IHC, comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, gave temporary exemption to the PTI chief from the biometrics.
Speaking on the occasion, Imran’s counsel said that his client had already appeared in the special court and wanted to appear again. “In the light of recent decision by the Supreme Court (SC), if a suspect appears in the court once, he may be given an exemption next time,” he added. Addressing Imran’s lawyer, Justice Jahangiri remarked that already eight times his client had sought adjournment.
Counsel for the PTI chief said that the petitioner was injured and could not travel. “Besides that he is old as well. But doctors say he will be able to walk by the end of this month,” he informed. He added he was ready to give an affidavit that Imran wanted to appear in the court.
Earlier, a banking court in Islamabad has ordered former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before it today, rejecting his application seeking exemption from appearance. During proceedings on Wednesday, Judge Rukhshinda Shaheen remarked that the law will take its course if Imran Khan does not appear in court. The judge ordered the PTI chief to appear until the court rises for the day on Wednesday.
Earlier, the banking court judge banned media coverage of the prohibited funding case. Judge Rakhshanda Shaheen took break in proceedings till 11:00 am. Strict security arrangements had been made on the occasion. PTI Chairman Imran Khan has requested the court to exempt him from personal appearance.
Judge Rakhshanda Shaheen, during the proceedings, said there should be a petitioner and his lawyer in the court, and rest of the people should go out of the courtroom. She said it was her court and she will run it in her own way. She said she could not start proceedings with so much rush of people in the courtroom. She said all the people should have gone out of the court when her staff had asked them to do so.
A journalist asked the judge to declare the case proceedings in-camera if the media was not allowed to cover the proceedings. The judge then took a break till 11.00 am in the case.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday directed Imran Khan to submit a reply in the case of his removal as the party chairman. “Petitioner Afaq Ahmed does not appear. The petition against Imran Khan should be dismissed for non-compliance,” Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Gohar argued before the court.
“Present your arguments. We will look into matter then,” the ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Member said. “The Lahore High Court (LHC) has stopped the ECP from taking action against Imran Khan. The court has sent the matter to the full bench,” Barrister Gohar told the court. “Provide a copy of the petition filed in the LHC,” the ECP KP member said.
“The ECP’s notice of Imran Khan’s removal from the party leadership has been challenged. The ECP’s notice is in the LHC’s order,” Barrister Gohar said.
“The ECP does not even decide the admissibility of the case and you take the matter to the court. After the stay order, we are left with come and stay in the office,” the ECP KP member said. “The high court did not stop the case from being pursued,” the ECP Balochistan member said. “In the case, the ECP has taken suo motu notice,” Imran Khan’s lawyer said.
“Neither does the ECP take suo motu, nor does it have any such authority,” the ECP KP member pointed out. “Some applications are received in the office of the ECP and heard. It cannot be called suo motu,” the KP member said. “We are also giving a notice to the petitioner whether he is interested or not,” he added. The court then adjourned further hearing of the case till March 7 next. — DNA
