ATC rejects interim bail pleas of Imran Khan in three different cases related to May 9

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore has rejected the interim bail pleas of PTI founder Imran Khan in three different cases related to May 9 violence, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

ATC Judge Khalid Arshad announced the reserved verdict on Tuesday in Jinnah House, Askari Tower and Shadman Police Station Lahore torch cases.

Public prosecutors Rana Azhar and Special Prosecutor Rana Abdul Jabbar pleaded against the bail plea, by saying that the Jinnah House attack case was a similar case to the World Trade Center attack and the Capitol Hill attack in the US and in these cases of the United States, the conspirators and abettors were also punished by the US government.

Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of the PTI chief. He told the court that the PTI founder was in jail on May 9 and were unaware of May 9 riots.

He further said that after release from the jail, PTI founder condemned the attacks and the events.

PTI counsel further said that the charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting was not proved. He further said these cases were of a political nature and in similar cases interim bail is confirmed.

Earlier, PTI founder could not appear in the hearing on video link from Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. Superintendent Adiala Jail told the court that attendance on the video link was not possible as internet service was not available in the jail.

It is pertinent to mention that PTI founder had filed an application for interim bail in the Jinnah House attack case, Askari Tower attack case and Shadman police station case. The interim bails were filed by founder PTI before the arrest.

Reporter: Jamaludin Jamali