ISLAMABAD, May 12: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s bail plea in the Al-Qadir Trust case after a short recess.
The former premier reached the IHC amid tight security. On his arrival, a large number of lawyers gathered outside the IHC premises and raised slogans in support of the PTI chief.
IHC CJ Aamer Farooq constituted a two-member bench – comprising Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz – to hear Imran’s bail plea in the case.
As the hearing commenced today, a lawyer stood up and chanted slogans in favour of the ousted premier. Expressing its displeasure, the division bench said there should be complete silence, with Justice Miangul warning that the case will not be heard if such acts continue.
The court then took a break for Friday prayers.
During recess, Imran spoke to media to the media again and said “this is my country, my people, be peaceful”. He assured that he has obtained bail “in all cases” and cannot be arrested.
The former prime minister further stated that he has full confidence in the chief justice of Pakistan. Recalling his arrest earlier this week, the PTI chief said he was assaulted with a baton but maintained that NAB’s “behaviour was fine” during his detention.
“I had warned of a reaction,” said Imran referring to his arrest. “How can be held responsible if I was under arrest.”
Elaborating on his arrest, the PTI chief said he was inside the premises of the IHC when he was arrested and “they had no justification” for the act.
Imran maintained that he was “abducted” and was shown the warrant for his arrest while in custody. “This is the law of the jungle.”
“It looks as if martial law has been declared,” said the former premier.
Prior to the start of the hearing, the PTI chief stated that he can be arrested again, adding that he was allowed to talk to his wife Bushra Bibi.
The hearing in Courtroom No. 1 commenced after the premises were checked by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and cleared by security officials.
Imran’s counsel, Babar Awan, talked with the media outside the IHC and said that the PTI chief’s “life is in danger”.
He maintained that there are certain people who fear that if Imran is released, their jobs will be at risk. “That is why Punjab Police has come from Lahore,” he added.
PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh also urged PTI supporters to reach the federal capital.
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