ISLAMABAD, Aug 22(ABC): The Islamabad High Court on Monday granted PTI chief Imran Khan protective bail till Thursday (August 25) in a terrorism case registered against him for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers at a public rally.
The ex-prime minister was booked on Sunday under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism) regarding his comments at his Islamabad rally on Saturday.
Earlier today, Imran’s lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry filed a petition seeking pre-arrest bail on his behalf in the IHC.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Babar Sattar took up the petition and asked about the objections raised by the registrar’s office.
Awan informed the judge that an objection pertaining to approaching the relevant forum was raised on the plea. Justice Kayani remarked that an objection pertaining to biometrics was also raised.
During the proceedings, Awan claimed that Imran’s Banigala residence had been “surrounded” and that “he cannot even approach the relevant court”. He urged the court to grant Imran protective bail so that the relevant forum could be approached.
“If the court wants to use its authority to grant pre-arrest bail, it’s your jurisdiction,” he added.
Justice Kayani observed that the relevant forum was the anti-terrorism court and ruled out the possibility of the IHC granting Imran pre-arrest bail at this point.
The court then approved Imran’s protective bail till Thursday and directed him to approach the relevant court by then.
However, Awan pleaded with the court to extend the bail by one more day. He contended that three days’ time was not sufficient.
At that, Justice Kayani said, “I will appoint a special judge and issue an order for approaching the relevant forum within an hour.”