An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital extended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s bail on Monday in ATC Extended Khan’s Bail Till September 20 In Terrorism Case the terrorism case against him.
The hearing of the case commenced around 10 am under Judge Raja Jawed Hasan Abbas but was adjourned for an hour after the deposed premier’s lawyer Babar Awan requested the court to permit Imran to bring his car inside the premises.
Following the court’s permission, Imran left his residence at Bani Gala and appeared before the court at 11 am. PTI leaders Asad Umar, Azam Swati, Faisal Javed and others were also present.
ATC Extended Khan’s Bail Till September 20 In Terrorism Case
The prosecutor, however, stated that Imran had failed to appear before the joint investigation team (JIT) despite being issued three notices.
The judge asked Awan if Imran had received the notices, to which he said that Section 161 doesn’t state that a perpetrator has to appear before the police for investigation.
“In the previous hearing also, the court’s investigator said that Imran Khan did not appear, however, this is not written anywhere [that the perpetrator has to appear],” he reiterated.
He furthered that the ex-PM’s statement was written down and not brought on record and asked why the police did not write the statement in the supplementary presented to the court.
Awan Stated That The Police Themselves Had Said
Awan stated that the police themselves had said that there was a threat to Imran’s life from banned organisations. “What if Imran went to the police station [for investigation] and was killed?” he questioned.
He further claimed that a written statement was submitted twice to the JIT and the investigating officer.
“I offered [to the police] without asking Imran Khan that if an investigation is to be done, then do it under judicial cover,” the lawyer said. “They should decide if they want to investigate or harass,” he added.
To which, the judge replied that Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi would pinpoint it.
Judge Abbas questioned why the lawyer was “engaged” after several days had passed. To this, the prosecutor stated that the court was “now discussing” the accused joining the investigation.
The lawyer asked the court if anyone’s speech had ever been banned in the history of Pakistan.
Subsequently, the hearing was postponed till September 20 and Imran Khan’s post-arrest bail was extended.
‘Mockery Of Terrorism Laws’
He claimed that Gill was then sent back in remand to those who had tortured him.
“They have made a mockery of the terrorism laws of the country,” he said.
“Across the world, the front page [of newspapers] says that Imran Khan has a terrorism case against him because he called for legal action after custodial torture”, he said, adding that in that case “anyone could be a terrorist” if they claim to take legal action against sending a person back on remand despite torture.
He maintained that this was “contempt” of Pakistan and of its terrorism laws.
“What pains me the most is that the matter of the custodial torture [on Gill] has been left behind. A matter which is condemned across the world,” he added.
Earlier, while talking to media personnel outside the court prior to the hearing, Imran said that he was “very dangerous”.
He also told a journalist to not compare him to the “terrorist” MQM founder and “thieve Nawaz Sharif”.
