The Lahore High Court (LHC) has finally approved protective bail till March 3 for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Earlier in the evening, amid tight security, Khan made his way to the courtroom from his house in Zaman Park. He appeared before the judges after being called in numerous times.
‘Impossible’ for Khan to step out of car to reach courtroom
Khan was present within the premises of the LHC, however, leaders of his party said that it would be difficult for him to go towards the courtroom itself.
Senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed there are “thousands” of people present inside the compound while alleging that security arrangements are almost “non-existent”. He said it is “impossible” for Imran to step out of his car and reach the courtroom.
Court gives IK a last chance to appear by 5pm today
Earlier today, the high court gave a last chance to Khan to appear before the court by 5pm today as he faces the possibility of arrest ahead of his appearance.
The court had disposed the former Prime Minister’s appeal for exemption from appearance for protective bail, citing doctors’ advice about the leg injury he suffered after being shot in November 2022 in Wazirabad.
According to multiple media reports, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has constituted a four-member team to arrest the PTI head in a separate case related to foreign funding received by his party. Media reports suggest that Khan might be arrested by a Lahore FIA team before his appearance at LHC, and then will be handed over to an Islamabad FIA team.
The FIA team has reportedly also held consultations with lawyer bodies so that the arrest is not disrupted.
