A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) has granted interim bail in three cases to Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and current leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Prior to that, the court released him on bail until April 4 and commanded the police not to detain him.
Following petitions for bail in three FIRs filed with the Race Course police station for a variety of charges, including assaulting police officers and setting fire to state property in the Zaman Park area, Imran Khan made an appearance before the court on Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imran Kishor, the head of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), told the court during the hearing that Imran Khan was not the subject of any investigations.
Barrister Salman Safdar, Imran’s attorney, suggested either writing a statement to the police or having the JIT go to his home in Zaman Park. The duty judge advised the attorney to provide a written statement.
As soon as Imran’s written statement was ready, Safdar let the court know. The JIT leader was then commanded by the court to show up at the subsequent hearing and finish the investigation as soon as possible.
Due to the rush when Imran Khan arrived at the ATC and the intense security presence, the hearing was delayed.
The ATC judge and Safdar moved to a different courtroom, and the court staff instructed everyone else—including the media—to leave the room. The hearing was later postponed until April 13 in order to extend the PTI chief’s temporary bail in three cases.
Imran was not present at an earlier hearing, and his attorney told the judge that he was under serious security threats. Imran was given until 11 a.m. to appear before the court; anyone else would not be granted relief.
In the cases of arson, violence against the police, and interference in government affairs, the ATC also denied interim bail applications from PTI leader Hamad Azhar and Fawad Chaudhry due to noncompliance.
Finally, an ATC has decided to grant Imran Khan conditional bail in three cases until April 13. All parties were instructed to leave the courtroom as the ATC judge and Safdar moved to a different courtroom, and the court ordered the head of the JIT to finish the investigation as soon as possible.
Imran was given a strict appearance deadline of 11 am despite significant security threats, with relief only being granted to those who showed up in court.
