Establishment holds key, rulers are powerless, says Imran Khan

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday disposed of the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to shift the sessions court to the judicial complex for one day and ordered the Islamabad commissioner to give a decision on the plea, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq conducted the hearing on the plea. The PTI chairman himself appeared before the court.

“We have filed a plea for shifting the sessions court to the judicial complex,” PTI lawyer Ali Zafar said to the chief justice.

“Have you submitted the plea to the commissioner?” the chief justice inquired.

“Yes, we have submitted the plea, but it has been pending,” Ali Zafar told the court.

“The court itself cannot do this. This is to be done by the commissioner. The court orders the commissioner to give a decision on the plea,” the chief justice ordered.

“We have time till today to approach the court concerned,” the PTI lawyer said.

“I am now ordering at your request,” the chief justice remarked.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan talked informally with a woman lawyer in the courtroom.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has clarified that the talks will be with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Why do you bring the establishment in?” she questioned.

“The real power and decision-making is with the establishment,” the PTI chairman said.

“Asif Ali Zardari had said that the charter of the economy will have to be agreed upon,” she put another question to Imran Khan.

“These rulers don’t have any power. What would be the use of sitting with them? They [the establishment] are the decision makers. There is no point in sitting with them [the rulers],” Imran Khan pointed out.

“The politicians signed the Charter of Democracy together. Why don’t you like to talk to them?” the woman lawyer questioned further.

“Now the situation is different,” Imran Khan replied.

“Smile Khan Sahib! Your smile is our hope,” the woman lawyer said to Imran Khan.

“Do you think that I am under any pressure?” asked the PTI chairman.

IHC grants 14-day protective bail to Imran Khan

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday granted protective bail to PTI Chairman Imran Khan for 14 days in the Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard Imran Khan’s plea for protective bail in the DG Khan case and ordered him to submit Rs25,000 worth of surety bonds.

The court also ordered Imran Khan to approach the court concerned of Dera Ghazi Khan within 14 days.

“14 days is sufficient time to approach the court concerned,” the chief justice said in a reply to Imran Khan’s lawyer who had demanded three-week protective bail.

Earlier, a judge of the IHC had apologised to hear the plea of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for protective bail in the Dera Ghazi Khan case.

The judge of Court No. 2 of the IHC had apologised to hear the plea. The case file had been sent to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq again.

Reporters: Kifayat Ali and Ehtisham Kiyani