LHC resumes hearing of Imran's bail plea in ECP protest case

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday resumed hearing of a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan for protective bail in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).   Today the court was informed by the former premier's counsel, advocate Azhar Siddiq, that they are pondering over issues pertaining to Imran's health and security. He said a consultation is being held with the PTI chief's medical team regarding Imran's health. The second issue is security, the counsel informed the court. He added that "his life is under threat" as the former premier has survived an assassination attempt. ' "We request the court to give us some time to develop a consensus over these issues," prayed the counsel. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh asked if the petitioner requires time for consultation, to which the counsel replied in the affirmative. Acknowledging the request, the court adjourned the hearing till 12:30 pm. On Wednesday, the LHC refused to grant protective bail to the former prime minister until he appeared in person. Justice Tariq had asked Imran's counsel why his client could not appear in court. The former premier's counsel defended his client by presenting medical reports related to his health issues. At one point, Justice Tariq asked the counsel to ensure the ex-premier's presence in the court if he wanted protective bail. However, the lawyer kept on stating that his client had been advised by the doctors to take complete bed rest for three weeks. "Ensure the petitioner’s presence—even if he is brought in an ambulance," Justice Tariq remarked during the proceedings. "If you want protective bail you have to produce the petitioner before the court. We are sitting here, you can bring the petitioner." The petitioner’s counsel argued that Imran Khan is not able to appear before the court. "We can send security guards if there is a danger to his life," Justice Tariq argued. Imran's counsel also requested the court to grant the petitioner protective bail from Zaman Park to Islamabad. Wednesday's proceedings witnessed multiple adjournments and consultation sessions. But as the day drew to a close, the PTI chief's legal team did not budge from its stated position.   The LHC subsequently adjourned the proceedings till today, making it clear that it will not grant the bail without the former prime minister's appearance. The PTI chairman had moved the high court after an Islamabad ATC rejected his bail earlier in the day in the ECP protests case. The former premier was on interim bail in the case and the anti-terrorism court had ordered him to come to court in person, but he failed to appear again. Islamabad police had booked the PTI chief and scores of party workers on terrorism charges in October last year in the wake of protests following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference. The first information report registered against the party members claimed the protestors had pelted stones at the police and FC officials, leading to many injuries. It further stated that workers of the former ruling party tried ramming police personnel with vehicles, set public property ablaze in Faizabad, and also damaged government property.    

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