The Lahore High Court (LHC) gave on Monday former prime minister Imran Khan last chance to appear in court by 5pm today while hearing the PTI chief’s protective bail petition in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh passed these orders after Imran failed to meet the court’s order to appear in person by 2pm today. On Feb 15, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court on grounds of non-appearance had rejected Imran’s request for an extension in his interim bail in a case pertaining to violent protests outside the ECP after it disqualified him in the Toshakhana case.

The PTI chief has been convalescing in his Zaman Park residence in Lahore ever since he was wounded in an assassination attempt during a pitstop his caravan made in Wazirabad while they were marching on Islamabad. At the previous hearing, Justice Sheikh had warned of issuing a contempt notice to Imran and instructed him to appear in the court in person by 2pm on Feb 20. The court had also advised Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar to meet the PTI chief’s legal team and decide on security matters.

Imran’s legal team also arrived at the court to review the security arrangements. Meanwhile, PTI supporters have started gathering outside the ex-premier’s Zaman Park residence. As the proceedings commenced, Justice Sheikh inquired about the whereabouts of the PTI chief’s lawyer. “The case was fixed for 2pm,” he said. Advocate Intizar Panjhota replied that Imran’s lawyer was on the way. “May he is stuck in traffic. They will reach in a while.”

Earlier today, the court rejected the PTI chairman’s request, submitted via Senator Shibli Faraz, to enter the LHC premises through the Mosque or Judges Gate. The application, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, had stated that the petitioner was the former prime minister of Pakistan and was recently injured in an assassination attempt.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP