Court rejects PTI chief’s exemption plea in 7 cases, throws out bail pleas

An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Friday rejected the interim bail applications of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in seven cases related to vandalism, arson and an attack on Jinnah House on account of non-perusal, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

After hearing the arguments of lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar and Special Prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah, ATC Judge Ijaz Ahmad Battar announced the reserved verdict, in which the court dismissed the bail pleas of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief for non-perusal and also rejected his plea for court exemption.

Earlier, the court reserved the verdict on PTI chairman’s request seeking his exemption from appearing in seven cases in which he sought his interim bail.

During the hearing, Special Prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah presented arguments on behalf of the government, while Barrister Salman Safdar presented arguments on behalf of the PTI chairman.

PTI chairman’s lawyer asked for more time for presenting his arguments on the request seeking court exemption for his client. He said that he would like the court to give time to collect more records so that he could give arguments in a better way.

Lawyer Salman Safdar told the court that the Supreme Court has also ordered not to arrest the PTI chairman in the Quetta case till August 24. He said the PTI chairman wants to appear in court, requesting the court to issue a production order. He said even his team is not complete today.

Special Prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah argued that the court cannot give benefits against the law. “It is valid if bail is discharged on non-perusal. When an accused is convicted, how a bail application can be heard? We can’t talk about hypothesis. No decision can be taken against the law. How can a convicted accused be summoned to court on interim bail?” the prosecutor argued.

He went on to say that at this stage, the court has already given an opportunity. The bail of the non-perusal accused should be dismissed.

Later, after hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court reserved its verdict on the request of PTI chairman for exemption from the court appearance in the interim bails in seven cases.

 

Reporter Jamaluddin Jamali