PTI chairman Imran Khan has departed from his Zaman Park residence for the Lahore High Court (LHC) to meet the 5pm deadline to appear before the court.
Earlier today, 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.
