Imran reaches IHC amid tight security

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan reached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday amid tight security as per the Supreme Court (SC) orders. 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 has constituted a two-member bench - Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz - to hear Imran's bail application in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The former premier had earlier left for court from the Police Lines guesthouse under a heavy escort. PTI urges supporters to reach Islamabad PTI leader Hammad Azhar released a short video on Twitter and urged the party's supporters to reach Islamabad.  "Everyone should reach Islamabad and safeguard themselves from illegal arrests," said the PTI leader and added that Friday prayers will be offered in the federal capital.  حماد اظہر کا قوم کے لئے اہم پیغام: - سب اسلام آباد پہنچیں اور راستے میں غیر قانونی گرفتاری ہونے سے اپنے آپ کو بچائیں - انشاءاللّہ جمعہ کی نماز اسلام آباد میں با جماعت پڑھیں گے#چلو_چلو_اسلام_آباد_چلو#میں_بھی_عمران_خان_ہوں pic.twitter.com/JX45zOKwMd — PTI South Punjab (@PTISPOfficial) May 12, 2023 High security in capital Extraordinary security arrangements were witnessed in the capital ahead of Imran's appearance at the high court at 11 am. According to reports, police and Frontier Corps (FC) troops are deployed outside the IHC. Containers have been placed near police lines on the Srinagar Highway and a heavy contingent of police and Rangers officials has been deployed under the Faizabad Bridge, Srinagar Highway and Police Lines. Read Imran Khan’s dramatic arrest at IHC triggers countrywide protests Military vehicles were also seen patrolling in Islamabad ahead of the hearing. Moreover, it was reported that no unrelated person will be allowed to enter the high court for the hearing of the high-profile case. Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICT) reminded the citizens that Section 144 is still in force in the capital, requesting the public not to obstruct the legal process. اسلام آباد میں دفعہ 144 نافذ العمل ہے۔ عوام سے گذارش ہے کہ قانونی عمل میں رکاوٹ نہ بنیں۔ اسلام آباد پولیس قیام امن عامہ کو یقینی بنانے کےلئے مصروف عمل ہے۔ شہریوں سے گذارش ہے اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ کے اطراف میں جانے سے گریز کریں۔#ICTP — Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) May 12, 2023 "Citizens are requested to avoid moving in the area of the IHC", the statement added.  A day earlier, the top court came to the rescue of the PTI chief as it declared his arrest by the country's top graft-buster from the premises of the IHC illegal and directed the immediate release of the former prime minister. “The petitioner is directed to be produced before the IHC tomorrow—May 12— at 11:00 am for hearing of his writ petition filed to challenge the NAB action against him in the Al-Qadir Trust Case,” said the SC. The apex court also said the NAB authorities and the Islamabad police shall ensure foolproof security to the petitioner until his production in the IHC. Read More 'Imran arrested on merit': Sana rubbishes claims of political victimisation Dozens of troops of paramilitary Rangers on May 9 broke into an office of the IHC and whisked Imran away in an armoured vehicle in a whirlwind raid while executing the arrest warrant issued against the former premier by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq later in the same day issued contempt notices to the secretary interior and Islamabad Inspector general police (IGP) over the manner in which the arrest had been carried out but termed the arrest legal. While violent protests erupted across the country after the development—protests that involved attacks on security personnel and arson of military and civil properties, the PTI on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court against Imran’s arrest.

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