Title: ATC extends Imran's bail till September 20
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An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the federal capital has extended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan's bail on Monday under the terrorism case against him.
Judge Raja Jawad Hassan Abbas presided over the case and the former premier was present in the courtroom. PTI leaders Asad Umar, Azam Swati, Faisal Javed and others werealso present.
Special Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi also appeared in court.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan questioned if Imran’s reply to the court – mentioning that he had submitted more than one – was not included because it was “private”.
He maintained that he was ready to argue if the need occurred and was ready to give the new prosecutor time if he needed it.
The prosecutor stated that Imran had failed to appear before the joint investigation team (JIT) despite being issued three notices.
The judge asked Awan if Imran had received the notices, to which he said that Section 161 did not state that the perpetrator had to appear before the police.
“In the previous hearing also, the court's investigator said that Imran Khan did not appear, however, this is not written anywhere”, he reiterated.
He furthered that Imran’s statement was written down and not brought on record and asked why the police did not write the statement in the supplementary.
Awan stated that the police themselves had said that banned organisations are behind Imran and asked what if the PTI chief went to the police station and was killed.
He maintained that Imran’s camp had offered that the police sit at the court in the morning so they could be asked what questions they had.
“The court can issue a show-cause notice to the police officer for faulty investigation”, he added.
Read Imran Khan again fails to show up at JIT
Awan highlighted that even if the accused confessed to the police, it would have no legal status, and questioned why they had made it a condition for Imran to be included in the investigation.
Awan further claimed that a written statement was submitted twice to the JIT and investigating officer.
“I offered [to the police] without asking Imran Khan that if an investigation is to be done, then do it under judicial cover”, the lawyer said.
“They should decide if they want to investigate or harass”.
Awan threatened that they “would not spare” the inspector general and deputy inspector general of Islamabad.
He asked the court to highlight the terrorism in the case, to which the judge replied that Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi would pinpoint it.
Judge Abbas questioned why the lawyer was “engaged” for several days, with the prosecutor stating that the court was “now discussing” the accused joining the investigation.
“It is up to the JIT or the investigating officer to decide what the mode of the investigation will be”, the prosecutor said.
The lawyer questioned if anyone’s speech had ever been banned in the history of Pakistan.
The hearing was postponed till September 20 and Imran Khan's bail was also extended.
Earlier, the ATC had granted bail to the former premier till September 12 on a surety bond of Rs100,000.
The hearing of the case had commenced around 10 am on September 1 but was adjourned till noon after the ATC had ordered the former premier to appear before the court for his bail plea hearing.
While talking to media personnel outside the court today, Imran warned that he was “very dangerous”. He also told a journalist to not compare him to “terrorist" MQM founder and “thieve Nawaz Sharif”.
Published Date: 12-Sep-2022
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