An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) has canceled the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in a case registered against him for staging a protest demonstration outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
During today’s hearing, the ATC rejected Imran Khan’s plea seeking an exemption from personal appearance and directed him to appear before the court till 1:30pm.
Upon his failure to appear before the ATC, the court canceled his bail in the ECP protest case.
On the other hand, the Islamabad banking court has also summoned Imran Khan to appear in person in the prohibited funding case by 3:30pm.
Khan’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar presented arguments and urged the extension of the interim bail for three weeks.
The lawyer told the court that his client was over 70 years old but was fit as he exercised regularly. He added that it takes three months for a young person to recover in case of a bullet injury. He then pleaded with the court to grant an exemption to Imran Khan from appearing in the case for three weeks.
While concluding his arguments, the lawyer also told the court that his client was not present in Islamabad at the moment.
Co-accused Tariq Shafi’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, said that a criminal case cannot be filed in the prohibited funding case. “Even if the first information report (FIR) is admitted there will be no conviction,” he claimed.
The lawyer also asked if there was any statement or document which pointed out that the funds were prohibited.
He argued that a mosque is not bound to ask its donors about their source of income.
The judge ordered Imran Khan to appear in court by today. “If Imran Khan does not appear then the law will take its course,” the court warned.
