ISLAMABAD: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad has extended interim bail of PTI Chairman Imran Khan till June 8 in 8 cases including Judicial Complex riots and terrorism cases.

Bail pleas in 8 cases came up for hearing before ATC Islamabad led by judge Raja Jawad Abbasi.  Suleman Safdar counsel for Imran Khan argued JIT came to Zaman Park under order of Islamabad High Court. We were facing security threats. Therefore, Lahore High Court had issued directive. Islamabad High Court too had issued directive in case too. It is not so that we don’t want to face cases.

Counsel said when this case is heard we are not then able to appear in your court. If there is any question we are ready to give reply. Time was given in anti-terrorism court Lahore. We joined investigation therein. If court says so then I will give arguments in all cases on next hearing. Counsel further argued our cases are fixed in IHC on June 8. Special prosecutor said while arguing that Imran Khan did not appear on April 6 and then April 18. JIT has been constituted in four case. But Imran Khan is not joining investigation.

Court remarked what court said to you that you can include him in investigation after going there.

Special prosecutor replied joining investigation is must in matter of interim bail. Order of High Court which is being referred to relates to some other case.  Counsel for Imran Khan said they don’t want to conduct investigation of crime but their insistence is that we should go there. If there is any question we will give reply.  Special prosecutor said it is order of IHC that Imran Khan should join investigation. Imran Khan came on rostrum during hearing and said after first murder attack, another murder attack was committed in judicial complex. Day before statement of Interior Minister came that I am facing life threat. Interior Minister is from rival party and he is saying my life is under threat. Whenever I come out of my home I put my life to risk.  Court while expressing resentment over absence of JIT during hearing of case remarked is JIT above law why they have not come.

 Court inquired what will be method for joining investigation by Imran Khan. JIT should tell it. Court extended interim bail of Imran Khan in 8 cases till June 8. Court after some time summoned senior officer of JIT.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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