Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb on Friday ordered that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan not be arrested till May 17 in any case filed after May 9. can In the court premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Earlier today, in a separate hearing, a “Special Division Bench” comprising Justice Mian Gill and Justice Suman Rifat Imtiaz granted two-week anticipatory bail to the PTI chief in a corruption case involving a property tycoon.
In an informal conversation with reporters during a break in Friday prayers, Khan said he would not resist if his bail plea was rejected.
Contacting his legal team amid fears of an arrest, Khan cited the clashes and warned of a similar backlash if he was arrested again.
“I don’t want such a situation to arise again because this is my country and my army,” he said, revealing that the Punjab Police had approached him.
The PTI chief did not respond to a question about the arrest experience. However, in response to a question about claims that he was given “extraordinary relief” compared to other political leaders, Khan said: “Relief in that! I was sitting in the High Court, they had me arrested. There was no justification.
Describing his arrest as a “kidnapping”, he said he was shown a warrant after being taken to jail. The PTI chief asserted that this is the law of the jungle.
Where did the police and the law go? It seems that martial law has been declared here,” he said.
Today’s hearing
At the beginning of the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, submitted applications for PTI chief’s pre-arrest and protective bail.
“We have asked for a copy of the inquiry report in another application,” he said, adding that NAB should be ordered to provide a copy of the inquiry report.
Lawyer Haris said he came to know about the anti-graft watchdog’s inquiry report from the newspaper, adding that arrest warrants can be issued only if the inquiry turns into an investigation.
The reason stated in the arrest warrant is that Khan did not appear before the NAB despite repeated notices. However, as the investigation began, attempts were made to arrest him.
However, the counsel told the court that the inquiry was converted to an investigation in April and replies to two call-up notices were submitted.
He then pointed out the legal loopholes of call-up notices and asked: “It is necessary to state in what capacity the person concerned has been called – as a witness or as an accused.”
Responding to a question from Justice Aurangzeb, Haris said he did not visit the NAB office as the call-up notice was “illegal”.
He then concluded his arguments by saying that he had raised objections in a detailed reply after which no further notice was received.
Brief adjournment
At the start of the hearing, in the courtroom, Khan – in response to JEE News’ question whether he was allowed to use the phone during his arrest – said: “The NAB officials asked me to talk to my wife through a landline. Allowed”.
The reporter then questioned why Khan contacted Musarat Cheema when he was given a phone to talk to his wife.
On this, Khan clarified that he could not contact his wife.
Asked if he expected to be arrested, Khan replied: “I was 100 percent sure that I would be arrested.”
After which the court room echoed with slogans in favor of the PTI chief. Courtroom staff tried to stop the chanting. However, he failed to do so. On this, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb said that this is ‘unacceptable’.
Later, the hearing was adjourned for Friday prayers.
The Supreme Court, a day earlier, had directed Khan to appear before the IHC today and declare his arrest this week – which led to deadly clashes across the country – “illegal”.
Khan was ordered to remain in bench custody under police protection till his appearance in court today.
Khan likely to be arrested again: Babar Awan
Apart from this, Imran Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan clarified to the media representatives that the lawyers who started raising slogans are not related to PTI.
After that, he asked the question, “Why would a person who wants elections cause riots in the country?”
Awan expressed concern over yet another arrest of the PTI chairman, saying: “Punjab Police has been specifically called to Islamabad. Why does the government want to arrest Imran Khan?
The lawyer added that it would be “unconstitutional” if the Punjab police arrested Khan again.
Did Khan meet establishment during imprisonment?
Before his hearing, JEE News reporter asked Khan if he had met the establishment during his imprisonment.
Khan replied, shaking his head in the negative.
Then he was asked: “Are you firm or have you made a deal?” This time too the PTI chief did not respond, instead smiling, asking the reporter if Khan’s silence was a sign that he had done a deal.
Again, Khan did not respond verbally and instead put a finger to his mouth to indicate silence.
Security
Ahead of today’s hearing, hundreds of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in and around the High Court, which was closed to traffic.
PTI lawyers were present at the rear gate of the Islamabad High Court, while Rangers personnel were stationed outside the court building and Islamabad Police were stationed inside the premises.
According to JEE News, before the hearing, PTI’s lawyers also urged the court staff to change the room as the court room number 3 – designated for the hearing – was “too small” for the hearing. Later the request was granted and the hearing was shifted to Courtroom 2.
Earlier today, Islamabad police issued an emergency order banning all gatherings in the capital after the PTI appealed to supporters to come together.
“We hope the high court will grant bail,” Khan’s lawyer Faisal Hussain Chaudhry told reporters.
Ahead of Khan’s departure for the IHC, an Islamabad police spokesperson said that as per the Supreme Court’s order yesterday, Khan had met 10 people last night.
They include President Arif Alvi, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid.
“Khan’s personal physician Dr Faisal and a member of Khan’s legal team also met him at the police guest house,” the spokesperson added.
After today’s hearing, Khan is scheduled to address his supporters at party workers on Srinagar Highway G-13.
Khan’s arrest.
Earlier, on May 9, Khan had appeared before the same court and bench to seek anticipatory bail in a land corruption case.
However, he was arrested from the court’s biometric department by paramilitary forces on the instructions of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
After Khan’s arrest, the IHC held another hearing to determine whether his arrest from the court premises was legal.
After that, the court decided that it was.
However, yesterday the Supreme Court overturned the IHC’s decision, terming Khan’s arrest as “illegal”.
However, the apex court directed Khan to ensure his presence before the IHC today.
What is Al Qadir Trust Case?
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is facing a NAB inquiry into the collusion between the PTI government and property tycoons that allegedly cost the national exchequer £190 million. .
According to the charges, Khan and the other accused allegedly adjusted 50 billion rupees – 190 million pounds – sent to the government by the British National Crime Agency (NCA).
He is also accused of obtaining illegal benefits in the form of more than 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa for the establishment of Al-Qadir University.
