ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday extended pre-arrest bail of former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases which will remain valid till April 18.
An IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard the bail applications of Imran Khan in cases registered against him under terrorism charges.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, however, decided not to appear in court. He had instead filed an application for exemption from appearance which was also approved.
The cases, in which Imran Khan had sought pre-arrest bail, include stone pelting, vandalism and arson outside the Islamabad judicial complex.
The court is also hearing another plea of Khan for the provision of security.
The court had granted Imran interim bail in the cases till today, and ordered that the PTI chief appear before it in every hearing and participate in the investigation till a decision on the bail applications.
The police’s investigation officer was also told to attend all hearings.
However, it has been learned that Imran Khan will not appear in court, and his lawyers have filed a request for one-time exemption from appearance.
Meanwhile, the IHC is hearing Imran Khan’s request for provision of security, and has sought rules for the provision of security to former prime ministers.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that whatever one is entitled to under the law, they should get it. Why doesn’t the government sort out minor issues?
The CJ said the court will issue an appropriate order after receiving the rules.
“What and how much security a former prime minister gets?” he asked.
The CJ also observed that security is assessed over time as per the threat alerts, adding an individual should get what is his/her legal right.
A former prime minister should get security according to his rank, he remarked.
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