LAHORE / QUETTA (WEB DESK)
- Imran Khan’s interim bail in three terrorism related cases approved till 4th April by Lahore ATC
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan’s interim bail in three case till 4th April. The court has approved the interim bail of Imran Khan on submission of Rs 100,000 surety bond in each case. The court has directed Imran Khan to appear in every hearing. The court has summoned the record of the cases from the investigation officer on next hearing of the case.
Imran Khan appeared before the ATC on Saturday. ATC Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar heard the plea on Saturday while Barrister Salman Safdar appeared in the court as Imran Khan’s counsel.
During today’s hearing, Imran said, “I want to be included in the investigation. There is a risk of [my] arrest.” He also filed a separate plea seeking permission for his car to be allowed within the court premises.
Three cases have been registered against the former prime minister in the Racecourse police station, including the death of PTI member Zille Shah, vandalism and interference in the government, which has anti-terrorism and aiding and abetting provisions.
Imran Khan was granted protective bail by the Lahore High Court in these cases and he was asked to approach the concerned court.
In the petition filed on Imran Khan’s behalf, it has been stated that the PTI chairman wants to be involved in the investigation, but there is a fear of arrest by the police. The court was requested to prevent his arrest. The ATC granted interim bail to Imran Khan in the three cases till April 4.
Speaking to the media outside the court, Imran Khan while comparing the “current atrocities done to PTI” to those committed in India Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, castigated the government for “using every method to crush the PTI” and for “torturing and picking up people”. He said people will break all barriers and reach the PTI rally at Minar-i-Pakistan.
The PTI chairman further said he will announce the future plan of action in the power show, adding that the government arrested 1600 of PTI workers to thwart the rally. The more the ruling coalition oppresses, the more people will come out, said Khan.
He further said, “Atrocities are being committed but this is a fight and a jihad for haqeeqi azaadi (real freedom) [so] sacrifices will need to be given. I am also ready for this and my entire team is ready as well.”
- Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi gets bail from Quetta, Islamabad courts
The judicial magistrate approved the bail against surety bonds worth Rs100,000 when Hassan Niazi was produced before him amid tight security. Members of Insaf Lawyers Forum and journalist Hafeezullah Niazi were present in the court during the hearing.
The judge rejected a plea filed by police seeking five-day physical remand of the political leader.
Meanwhile, a district and sessions court in federal capital has also approved bail of Hassan Niazi against surety bonds worth Rs30,000. Duty Judge Ihtisham Alam Khan announced the ruling on the petition.
The Quetta police took custody of Hassan Niazi from the Islamabad police a day earlier after a case was registered against him at the Airport police station for allegedly provoking people to hold protests in the city. Police said several PTI workers were arrested over protests earlier this month, adding that the detained suspects had named Hassaan Niazi during interrogation.
A day earlier, a district court approved one-day transit remand of the PTI leader to the Quetta police. The police had requested the transit remand to produce him before the judicial magistrate of Quetta, which was approved by the court.
Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas ordered that Niazi should be produced by the investigating officer in the court on March 25.
A district and sessions court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking an extension in the physical remand of Hassaan Niazi and sent him to jail on 14-day judicial remand in connection with intervening in the affairs of the state.
Hassan Niazi was presented before Magistrate Mureed Abbas on completion of his five-day physical remand and the investigation officer pleaded to the court for extending the remand, saying his accomplice had been found but the pistol and vehicle were yet to be found. However, the court rejected the plea.