LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Friday extended interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in three cases, including the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House and also reserved its decision in two other cases.
Imran Khan appeared in court under heavy security as ATC Judge Ijaz Ahmed Buttar heard various petitions filed by the former premier seeking an extension in the interim bail.
Salman Safdar, legal counsel of Khan during the court proceedings, argued that the cases against his client were fabricated and politically motivated. He said that no incident happened inside the Corps Commander House.
Salman showed concerns about the non-arrest of an individual responsible for injuring the Punjab Police’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG). He asked why the attacker had not been arrested. Imran Khan’s lawyer also highlighted that none of those who attacked the police were apprehended.
Salman Safdar emphasised the extreme reaction to a minor matter: “Such a massive front was made up to fulfil a tiny warrant. During this process, was the former prime minister treated fairly?, he questioned
After the lawyers’ arguments, the ATC reserved its decision on the interim bail applications of Imran Khan in the two cases regarding the Zaman Park Vandalism case, where police tried to apprehend Imran Khan.
Later. the court extended interim bail of Khan till June 2 in three cases regarding the attack on Corps Commander House Lahore during May 9 riots.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan on Friday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) requesting interim bail in a case about the killing of Zille Shah, a PTI activist who was killed during a protest in Lahore.
The former premier filed the plea through his counsel, Salman Safder. The plea said that a baseless case had been registered against his client at the Sarwar Road police station, stating that Imran Khan was being victimized and singled out for political reasons. In the petition, Khan has requested the LHC to grant him interim bail.
