Ex-premier Imran Khan has arrived at the Lahore High Court (LHC) alongside a horde of adoring PTI supporters to attend two separate hearings.
Footage aired on television showed Imran’s convoy being showered with rose petals as it made its way to the LHC with a large number of PTI supporters surrounding the cars and chanting slogans in support of the former prime minister.
In the first hearing, a two-judge LHC bench was set to take up Imran’s bail plea in a case registered against him in Islamabad. The court gave Imran 10 minutes to appear, saying that the court staff would leave once the time lapsed. However, Imran’s lawyers assured the court that the PTI chairman would appear.
Separately, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh instructed the former prime minister to appear in court in person while hearing his protective bail petition in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Justice Sheikh passed these directives after Imran failed to meet the court’s order to appear in person by 2pm today.
On Feb 15, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court — on grounds of non-appearance — had rejected Imran’s request for an extension in his interim bail in a case pertaining to violent protests outside the ECP after it disqualified him in the Toshakhana case.
The PTI chief has been convalescing in his Zaman Park residence in Lahore ever since he was wounded in an assassination attempt during a pitstop his caravan made in Wazirabad while they were marching on Islamabad.
Subsequently, the PTI chief had approached the LHC for interim protective bail.
At the previous hearing, Justice Sheikh had warned of issuing a contempt notice to Imran pointing out that there was a difference in the PTI chief’s signatures on the affidavit — attached with the affidavit — and the power of attorney. The court also instructed him to appear in the court in person by 2pm on Feb 20.
The court had also advised Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar to meet the PTI chief’s legal team and decide on security matters.
Ahead of today’s hearing, a large contingent of police personnel was deployed at the main gate of the LHC.
Imran’s legal team also arrived at the court to review the security arrangements. Meanwhile, PTI supporters have started gathering outside LHC.
