Islamabad ATC extends Imran’s interim bail till Sept 12 - Pakistan

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) extended PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan’s interim bail till September 12 in connection with the terrorism case registered him. Imran was booked in a terrorism case for his controversial remarks about a female judge at a party rally in the capital on Aug 20. Last week, the Islamabad ATC had granted Imran interim pre-arrest bail till Sept 1 (today) in the case. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan took up the case on Thursday amid elaborate security arrangements. The hearing commenced shortly after 10am but was adjourned for a brief period after the court summoned the PTI leader at 12pm.

More charges against Imran

Imran’s lawyer, Babar Awan, appeared before the judge around 9am and was prepared to give his arguments. However, the judge remarked that Imran would have to appear before the court. “We will hear arguments on the bail [plea] today,” he said, to which the prosecutor called for ensuring Imran’s presence. The hearing was then adjourned till 12pm as the PTI chief was summoned. During the hearing, the court was told that four new sections had been added to the FIR against Imran, namely 186 (offence of obstructing public servant in the execution of public duty), 504 (criminal intimidation), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). Awan contended that the former premier should be granted bail for these charges, to which the judge replied that notices would be issued instead. Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, Awan said that the PTI had submitted two detailed responses to the court. He said that the government, the Islamabad IG and DIG would be responsible if something happens to the PTI leader. “On one hand, they are removing security […] yesterday Imran went to court […] his security was made to wait outside.” He went on to say that a “threat letter” was received at Banigala which stated that some people wanted to harm the PTI chief. “We have kept the threat letter with our submissions in court.” Awan went on to say that more charges had been added to the case. “The judge said he [Imran] should appear. It’s not like he’s in Mayfair. He’s in Banigala. I told the judge I will bring him (Imran) at 12pm.”

Controversial remarks

At the Islamabad rally on August 20, Imran had warned the judiciary against its “biased” attitude towards his party, saying that it should brace itself for the consequences. The former prime minister had also warned additional district and sessions judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved the two-day physical remand of his aide Shahbaz Gill’s on the request of the capital police in a sedition case, that she, too, would face dire consequences. Moreover, the PTI chief had threatened to file cases against Islamabad’s inspector general of police and deputy inspector general of police, saying, “We won’t spare you.” Subsequently, Imran was booked under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism) on Sunday for “threatening” a female judge and senior police officers. Islamabad police had also registered another case against the former prime and other top leaders of the PTI for allegedly violating of Section 144 while holding the August 20 rally.

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