The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday approved a seven-day protective bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in eight terrorism cases after he appeared before the court in person.
The PTI chief had approached the LHC earlier in the day to seek protective bail in nine cases. Five of those cases are registered in Islamabad and four in Lahore.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Farooq Haider conducted the hearing on bail pleas filed against the cases that are lodged under terrorism sections.
Meanwhile, Justice Saleem will also hear the bail pleas that Khan filed against the civil cases registered against him.
Meanwhile, hundreds of PTI supporters shielded the party chairman's home to thwart his arrest as the former prime minister waited to hear a ruling on whether security forces could again come after him for failing to attend the hearing in court.
Ahead of the court decision, a tense calm prevailed in Lahore Zaman Park which earlier this week was the scene of hostilities between PTI workers and Punjab Police that were advancing on Khan’s house to produce him before the court in a case in which he is accused of selling state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries without due legal process, while he was prime minister.
Khan denies the charges.
Even though there was no police presence on Friday, witnesses said Khan's supporters, armed with sticks and iron rods, stood guard outside his home.
Today's hearing
During today's hearing against the operation at Zaman Park — resumed by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh — the inspector-general of Punjab (IG), the advocate general, and Fawad appeared in the court.
Praising the decision of Justice Saleem, Fawad said: "The lives of the people of Lahore have been saved because of you."
He said that the police have assured to provide security to the PTI chief. "We have backed off from conducting a public gathering in Lahore but we will hold one on Monday," he added.
Justice Saleem remarked that he had suggested postponing the public gathering. "Imran Khan's surety bonds have been filed," said the PTI leader.
The judge said that everyone has to follow the law, adding that he would not spare the wrongdoers. "We have installed cameras and I will not stop action against the violators of the law and order," he said.
IG Punjab said that he had directed the political party to not turn any part of the city into a "no-go area".
Justice Saleem directed Fawad to submit an application before any public rally. The court also remarked that containers should not be used to block the roads.
The advocate general said that they needed access to the Zaman Park area.
At this, Fawad said that they (the government) wanted access to arrest the people. "Arrest people after nominating them," he added.
Meanwhile, Khan's lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim assured the court of PTI chief's appearance.
IG Punjab asked the court if the police were allowed to go in if they were pelted with stones or Molotov cocktails were hurled at them. The top Punjab cop requested the court for access. Fawad replied: “We give them access”.
At this, the court directed the parties to come up with a solution.
The IG said that they would not allow anyone to become a target of retaliatory action. "We have technology and witnesses, not just pictures," he added.
He also assured the court that no harm would be done to anyone.
"How will the transparency be ensured?" the court asked the IG.
At this, the IG said that everything would be done fairly. "If we have proof, we will not ask for permission to arrest someone," he said.
Justice Saleem said that an application should be filed for Imran Khan's security.
The judge will also decide on the method to implement the warrant, it was observed.
Later, Justice Saleem adjourned the hearing till 3pm and asked the parties involved in the case to reach an agreement and present it before the court.
When the hearing resumed, Khan’s counsel Ishtiaq Chaudhry read out the terms of reference (TORs) agreed upon between the PTI and the police.
He informed the court that PTI leader Senator Shibli Faraz would contact the police to provide security to the PTI chief.
The agreement also states that PTI’s Minar-e-Pakistan public gathering will be held on Monday instead of Sunday. It has also been agreed a fresh request for the public gathering will be filed.
As per the agreement, the PTI would nominate two people to assist the people involved in the incidents that occurred on March 14 and 15.
However, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh said that the language of the agreement needs to be fixed and drafted again.
“The TOR word is not right, fix the language again,” remarked the judge. He added that the court could not stop police from holding investigations.
Meanwhile, Fawad told the court that the party does not want to be a target of revenge.
Then, Khan’s counsel told the court that they have submitted pleas for the protective bail of the PTI chief. He added that Khan is willing to appear in court.
“Imran Khan is also ready to attend the court proceedings on March 18,” said the lawyer.
However, Advocate General Punjab Jahangir Jadoon told the court that the arrest warrant should be implemented.
The judge responded that he never stopped the implementation of the warrant.
