The Lahore High Court (LHC) granted Imran Khan bail in two terrorism proceedings related to last week’s Islamabad Judicial Complex incident.
As PTI supporters battled with police in the federal capital, Judge Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi presided over a division bench that granted the former prime minister protective bail in two terrorism cases.
On Monday, the court ordered PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear on Tuesday if he wants to be released from terrorism charges.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard a petition against the police operation at Imran’s Lahore home.
Imran said the operation was illegal and that the police had violated his home. In addition, the PTI president accused the authorities of contempt of court for not following the LHC’s March 17 rulings.
“The sanctity of my home was breached,” Imran told the court. He reportedly said five guards were “taken away and tortured.”
The PTI head claimed he arrived at court “secretly through a hidden path nobody knows and without a convoy.”
“Contempt of court proceedings will be filed against individuals who are making a mockery out of the judiciary on media,” Justice Sheikh said, adding that “all parties must respect the court.”
The court ordered the government’s lawyer to argue the operation. But instead, the judge summoned all respondents, including IG Punjab and adjourned hearings until March 28.
The same court heard Imran’s appeal for information on cases against him and ordered the government’s counsel to appear tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Punjab government’s counsel and Assistant Advocate General objected to Judge Sheikh and requested a new court.
The court was incensed and asked why the Punjab government had lost trust in the single bench.
“This [application] is over a previous judgment,” the judge said, “if you repeat this, I will pursue contempt of court procedures.”
“Suo motu notice can also be taken,” Judge Sheikh said, ordering the government to implement the directives and produce the records.
A two-member bench rejected Imran’s request for precautionary bail in two NAB proceedings.
The judge advised Imran to file the applications to the NAB bench instead.
The PTI chairman would also challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana matter in court (ECP).