LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Friday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan till June 2 in three cases related to 9th May incidents.
ATC judge Ijaz Ahmed Buttar announced the verdict after hearing arguments from the former premier’s counsel Salman Safdar in cases related to attack on the Jinnah House, and PTI protesters’ clashes with police at Zaman Park. The cases were registered against the PTI chief at the Sarwar road, Shahdman and Gulberg police stations.
Imran Khan, who has been facing multiple cases since his ouster from the PM Office through a no-confidence vote, also appeared before the court on being summoned. Strict security measures were taken to avoid any untoward situation.
While announcing the ruling, the ATC judge barred police from arresting him till June 2. He also directed Imran Khan to join the investigation in the cases and submit surety bonds worth Rs100,000 in all the cases.
Meanwhile, the court has reserved verdict on bail pleas filed by the PTI chief in two others cases, saying it will announce its ruling after hearing arguments from the prosecution.
During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar argued that his client was being politically victimised. He also denied the allegations that public and private properties were damaged at the behest of the PTI chief.
Meanwhile, Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun granted pre-arrest bail to Imran till June 2 regarding the murder case of Zille Shah.
Earlier, the ATC in Lahore extended the pre-arrest bails of PTI leaders, including chairman Imran Khan and senior leader Fawad Chaudhry, until May 16.
The bails were granted in connection with different FIRs registered against them for allegedly attacking police officials, creating law-and-order panic, setting ablaze state properties at Zaman Park, and Imran Khan’s alleged involvement in the Zille Shah murder case.