On Monday, the Islamabad High Court granted interim bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in seven cases registered against him following clashes at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) on March 18. The clashes had erupted when former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared in court in the Toshakhana case. In petitions filed in the IHC on Monday, Khan sought interim bail in cases registered against him at Golra, Bara Kahu, Ramna, Khanna, and CTD police stations.
A two-member IHC division bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard the former premier's petition. The pleas, filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, stated that Imran would suffer "irreparable loss" if he was arrested. "Furthermore, being the head of the single largest political party, there is an apprehension that his political adversaries and opponents would be able to further their nefarious designs and political ambitions if pre-arrest bail is not granted to the petitioner," they added.
Earlier, a video on PTI's official Twitter showed the PTI chairman entering the court premises as a huge contingent of the Islamabad police surrounded his vehicle. He was escorted to the courtroom while being covered with a bullet-proof jacket, according to a correspondent present at the scene.
During the hearing on Monday, Justice Farooq reprimanded Islamabad Attorney General Jehangir Jadoon for taking back security provided to the former premier. The court also sought a response from the federal government on why the security was recalled.
At the outset of the hearing, Khan's counsel said, "An objection was raised on the biometric [fingerprints]. If the age becomes more than 60, it (biometric) becomes difficult." Upon this, Justice Farooq asked rhetorically, "Why? Does the thumbprint vanish after 60 years? In fact, it is very easy now. Get them done from any Easypaisa shop and submit them," he told the lawyer.
Barrister Safdar then proceeded to tell the court that Khan did not go to the trial court due to "security risks." The IHC chief justice then asked, "Why did you come to the Islamabad High Court after bypassing the trial court?" He further said, "You have to maintain the law and order situation. If you will bring 10,000 people with you to the court appearance, then of course there will be a law and order situation."
To this, Khan's counsel replied, "We do not call anyone. People come by themselves."
At this point during the hearing, Imran appeared on the rostrum but Justice Farooq directed him to return to his seat, which he obliged with. The IHC chief justice went on to say, "There are security risks to Imran Khan, which must be genuine. There has also been an attack on Imran Khan once."
At this point during the hearing, the court called Islamabad Advocate General Jehangir Jadoon to the rostrum.
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