Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, who has left for the federal capital to seek interim bail in 9 different cases, has made strict security arrangements around the Islamabad High Court (IHC) before his appearance. .
Heavy police force was deployed around the court while barbed wire and containers have also been installed to ensure law and order in the area.
The police have also banned the entry of unrelated persons into the IHC.
Khan is scheduled to appear before a two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, who had warned the former prime minister of cancellation of bail for his continued absence from the court at a previous hearing.
The district administration has made tight security arrangements to ensure Khan’s safety, while lawyers and journalists will be allowed to enter Courtroom No. 1 through a special pass.
Only 15 lawyers will be allowed to accompany Khan inside the court and 10 lawyers from the Attorney General’s and Advocate General’s offices will be allowed to attend the hearing.
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq on Wednesday made the remarks while hearing Khan’s bail plea in two separate cases related to threats to armed forces officers and attempt to kill Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha. That the law has been violated. Very clear and equal for all.
There is no precedent for exemption from attendance during hearing of bail application.
According to his lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar, Khan pulled out of yesterday’s hearing due to pain and swelling in his leg. However, after the bench did not relent, the lawyer assured the court that the PTI chief would appear at today’s hearing even if he was in an ambulance.
Appearing in court despite pain in leg: Imran KhanÂ
PTI released a one-shot video statement of the party chairman as he was leaving Islamabad.
“[We] respect the courts, so will appear [before the court] despite leg pain and swelling,” said Khan – who was in a wheelchair to be transported in a car.
He said he was “not like those people who spread propaganda against judges” if they don’t get a fair verdict.
Khan further claimed that he had informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that there had been an attempt to kill him.
“Once in Wazirabad and the second time on March 18 at the Judicial Complex,” he added.
The PTI chief then appealed to people to take to the streets to show solidarity with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandyal.
“The mafia is hell-bent on the Chief Justice,” he said, adding that the “mafia” has divided the Supreme Court (SC) and is flouting the Constitution.
He also criticized the current government for “running away from the elections” which were to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.
