LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday sought a detailed report from the Punjab government by May 10, on all the cases registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The court gave the orders while hearing Imran Khan’s petition seeking a halt in proceedings on the 121 cases registered against him. The court also adjourned further hearing of the case till May 12. A five-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard Imran’s plea which sought the report from the police.
The court has also sought the number of cases Imran Khan was booked in. The details of cases in which the PTI chief was wanted by the police should also be provided to the court, the court ordered. “If Imran Khan is innocent, the police should discharge him from the cases,” Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked, adding if the former premier was guilty, he should be challaned. The court then adjourned the hearing on Khan’s petitions till May 12.
During Monday’s proceedings, Imran Khan’s lawyer said they cooperated with the JIT on court orders and gave access to the concerned authorities to the PTI chief’s residence. The JIT investigated Imran Khan in various cases, the lawyer added. “Has the JIT submitted the report to the court,” Justice Najafi asked, to which the lawyer said they had yet to receive the report. “It seems you have not taken our order seriously,” the judge observed. At that point, the public prosecutor said the court order will be complied with.
To a question on the number of cases filed against the PTI chairman, the Punjab government’s lawyer said five or six cases were registered, while the rest might have been registered in Islamabad. “Two days ago, the police involved Imran Khan in two cases,” the PTI chief’s lawyer told the court.
The former prime minister and PTI chief was expected to appear before the five-member bench today. Earlier in the day, a security detail had started gathering at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore. An ambulance and an Elite Force vehicle also reached there. The court had ordered Imran Khan to join the investigation.
PTI chief Imran Khan had filed a petition to stop proceedings in the 121 cases, and has also filed a separate plea to consolidate all the cases registered in Punjab province. Previously, the former prime minister had filed two separate petitions before the LHC, requesting for the consolidation of all 121 cases as well as grant of security.
