The Lahore High Court (LHC) resumed the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s petition for protective bail in a case related to the protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Azhar Siddiq, the attorney for the former prime minister, told the court that they are thinking about Imran’s health and safety issues. The counsel acknowledged that the PTI chief’s life is in danger as a result of a prior assassination attempt and asked for more time to reach an agreement on the issues. The hearing was postponed until 12:30 p.m. by the court.
In yesterday’s proceedings, the LHC declined to grant Imran Khan protective bail unless he personally appeared. When the court inquired as to why he was unable to appear, his attorney cited medical records pertaining to his health problems as a justification. The judge emphasized that the petitioner had to appear in court if he desired protective bail.
However, the lawyer argued that the doctors had advised his client to take complete bed rest for three weeks. The court adjourned the proceedings until today, stating that it would not grant bail without the former prime minister’s appearance.
The PTI chairman had moved the high court after an Islamabad ATC rejected his bail in the ECP protests case. During protests following Imran Khan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana reference, the Islamabad police had previously booked him and many party workers on terrorism charges. According to the police report, protestors pelted stones at the police, set public property on fire, and damaged government property.
Imran’s counsel expressed concerns regarding his client’s health and safety, emphasizing the need for further consultations with the PTI chief’s medical team. In a professional tone, the LHC acknowledged the petitioner’s request for time and adjourned the hearing to the afternoon.
