ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is likely to appear in Islamabad courts today (Tuesday) in several cases.
He is currently going to Islamabad along with party workers.
The PTI chairman will appear in at least four separate court cases, including a prohibited funding case in the banking court, an anti-terrorism case and two cases in local courts.
Case of attempted murder
A case of attempted murder against Khan was filed by a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader. Muslim League-N leader Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha had registered a case against the former prime minister in the Secretariat police station of the federal capital last year.
The case was registered a day after an alleged attack outside the ECP office in Ranjha, where PTI workers and supporters were protesting against the election body’s decision in the Tosha Khana case. His party chief was disqualified.
On the previous hearing, the District and Sessions Court on Monday rejected the former prime minister’s plea to transfer the trial of the murder case to the judicial complex.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal heard the case today. Imran Khan’s lawyer Sardar Masroof conducted the hearing.
During the hearing, the judge asked when the PTI chief will come.
The lawyer replied that Khan Sahib was going by road from Lahore to Islamabad and would come on the court time.
He said that Imran Khan would first go to the banking court and then come here, adding that he was unable to contact the PTI chief and therefore could not tell the exact time of his arrival.
On this, the plaintiff’s lawyer asked for the exact time and said that we cannot wait for you.
After which the court adjourned the hearing till 12 noon.
Toshakhana hearing
Meanwhile, the Tosha Khana case against the PTI Chairman was heard in the District and Sessions Court.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) lawyer Saad Hassan were present in the court.
The case was heard by Judge Zafar Iqbal.
Imran Khan’s lawyer told the court that the former prime minister had left Lahore some time ago. He said that Imran Khan has to appear in two courts in the judicial complex.
He said that Khan will not be able to appear in this court today.
Bukhari requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days.
Why is it that Imran can appear in 11 courts but not in the courtroom? asked the judge.
He remarked that the court will decide the charges against them so they come here and then leave.
He further said that Khawaja Haris is Imran Khan’s lawyer in this case and he is not available to appear in this court today.
In the Tosha Khana case, the judge summoned Khan once again today.
Both of Khan’s lawyers – Ali Bukhari and Sardar Masroof – were reportedly giving conflicting accounts of Khan’s arrival.
Prohibited Funding
Meanwhile, a banking court in Islamabad adjourned all cases against Khan citing security concerns.
The court had summoned the PTI chief to appear today in the banned funding case.
The banned funding case against Khan — who was ousted in a no-confidence motion in April — and other party leaders under the Foreign Exchange Act was heard in the Banking Court last week.
During today’s hearing, Khan’s bail plea in the case will be heard and all other petitioners are being given a new date.
Terrorism case
On the other hand, Imran Khan’s lawyer Naeem Haider Panjuta filed an interim bail application in the terrorism case related to the protest outside the ECP after the disqualification of the former prime minister.
The petition was filed in the Anti-Terrorism Court of Islamabad.
The petition said the case against Khan was filed to “politically target” him.
“I am a leader of a major political party. I was booked in a terrorism case, in which I am not guilty,” Khan said while seeking interim bail in the case before the bail was approved.
