ISLAMABAD
The Islamabad High Court has ordered the government not to arrest PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in seven cases for which he has filed protective bail in the court.
Two-judge IHC bench led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted the hearing of the case and granted interim bail to Imran Khan in seven cases and issued notice to the federal government.
During the proceedings, IHC CJ Aamer Farooq remarked that it was not a wise move on the part of the government to withdraw PTI chief’s security.
Earlier, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan filed seven petitions in the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in seven cases registered against him following clashes between the PTI workers and the police on his arrival at Federal Judicial Complex on March 18. The two-judge bench heard his petitions along with the objections raised earlier by the registrar office.
The PTI chairman was seeking bail in seven cases registered against him at Golra, Bara Kahu, Ramna, Khanna, and CTD police stations. The cases are related to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex on March 18 — where Imran had appeared in the Toshakhana case.
Earlier, the IHC registrar office raised two objections to the petitions. It objected that Imran Khan’s bio matric was not certified and how the petitions could be filed in the IHC prior to their filing in a trial court.
When Imran Khan reached the court, security stopped his vehicle at the IHC gate. They said that extra people were sitting in the SUV. They said that only Imran and his vehicle were permitted to go inside the court. The security officials disembarked Saifullah Niazi and Sheharyar Afridi from the vehicle. Saifullah Niazi reached the court in the vehicle of the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister.
The security officials have covered the screen of bullet-proof vehicle of Imran Khan with a bullet-proof jacket. The PTI on its official Twitter account uploaded a video showing the PTI chairman entering the court and his vehicle surrounded by security officials.
Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan left for Islamabad from Zaman Park, Lahore to file eight petitions in the IHC seeking bail in eight cases of vandalism and terrorism registered against him in the federal capital following his arrival at the Judicial Complex on March 18.
The PTI chairman left his residence amid tight security. PTI leaders including Ijaz Chaudhry, Musarrat Cheema, Azam Swati and others also accompanied the party head. Imran Khan reached Islamabad via Motorway. The Lahore High Court has granted him protective bail in five cases till March 27 (today).
Meanwhile, a meeting was held under the chair of Islamabad IG police to review the security arrangements in connection with PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrival at Islamabad High Court today. The meeting was attended by the DIG police, SSP Operations and other high-ranking officers.
A central control room has been set up at Safe City Headquarters. As per the court order, only relevant persons have been allowed to enter the court premises. SSP Yasir Afridi would oversee the security arrangements. Amir Kiyani would be the focal person of the PTI. He assured cooperation from the party.
In its tweet, the Islamabad police warned that “Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad and arrests will be made in case the section is violated. In the light of court orders, only concerned persons will be allowed to enter the court premises.”
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking details of cases against PTI Chairman Imran Khan till tomorrow (Tuesday). IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday heard the petition. The counsel for state and federation requested for extra time to provide details of cases against Imran. Accepting his request, the chief justice put off the case till tomorrow.
At the outset of the hearing, an interesting conversation took place between the chief justice and the lawyers. Lawyer Faisal Farid told the court that he was stopped 1km away from the court as the IHC parking was closed.
Lawyer Latif Khosa also complained about parking issue and requested the chief justice to direct the police officials not to adopt this behavior with lawyers. On this, Chief Justice Farooq told them that he, too, used a zigzag route and passed through a container to reach the court. “Your party leader is coming today.
This security is for him,” the CJ quipped. PTI lawyer Faisal Farid submitted a copy of yesterday’s statement of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to the court.
