Islamabad High Court grants bail to Imran Khan, restrains arrest in cases filed after May 9

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday restrained the authorities to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in any of the cases filed beyond May 9. The divisional bench of Islamabad High Court passed the order as reported by ARY News and Samaa TV.

In the Al-Qadir Trust case, the Islamabad High Court also granted the former premier bail for two weeks. The decision came a day after the Pakistan Supreme Court declared his arrest from the IHC grounds “invalid and unlawful,” according to Dawn.

Islamabad High Court allows bail to Imran if martial law is imposed for two weeks

Based on reports by Dawn News, the Islamabad High Court, while handing the former prime minister a respite, stated that Imran Khan should be allowed bail if martial law, as authorized by Article 245 of the country’s Constitution, is imposed in the country for two weeks.

Article 245 of the Pakistan Constitution states that the military forces are responsible for defending the country against external aggression or the threat of war, as well as acting in aid of civil power when called upon. Although no reports in Pakistani media indicate that martial law has been imposed in the country.

In Islamabad High Court’s courtroom No.3, a division bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz heard the PTI chief’s bail application. It was reported that Imran’s lawyers also filed four further petitions seeking the IHC to consolidate all of the charges against him and need authorities to furnish details on the complaints leveled against him.

The hearing had begun about two hours earlier after the media reported that officials were carrying out a security sweep outside the courtroom.
According to Geo News, the hearing was postponed after the judges left the courtroom, claiming that “pro-Imran” slogans were shouted.

Imran Khan claims he was slapped on the head, was unable to contact wife

Imran alleged that during his arrest, he was slapped on the head. Imran told journalists at the Islamabad High Court in an informal talk that NAB officers treated him “fine,” but claimed he was slapped on the head when being arrested. He also stated that he was unable to contact his wife, Bushra Bibi.

Talking about violent clashes in the country, Imran said, “How could I have stopped whatever happened? I had already told [you] that there would be a reaction to the arrest. When I was (taken into custody), how could I be responsible?”

In a social media release, Imran Khan stated, “I was sitting in the high court. They had no reason to arrest me. I was abducted.” He went on to ask, “And there, they showed me the warrant for the first time when they took me to jail. This is what happens when the country is governed by the law of the jungle, army carries out abductions without any rhyme or reason. Where did the police go? Where did the law go?”

“The law of the jungle has been enforced in the country. It seems as if martial law has been declared,” Imran added. “When I reached the court yesterday, I found out for the first time that 40 helpless people have lost their lives in this. I did not even know about this,” the PTI chairman said.

PTI lawyer Babar Awan told the reporters outside the Islamabad High Court after the break for Friday prayers that a police squad from Lahore had departed for Islamabad to arrest Imran in “new cases.” He accused the police saying, “There are two to three people in the incumbent administration, who are worried because if Imran Khan is released, their jobs will be in danger,” claiming that this was the primary reason Punjab police were called to the capital.

PTI Lawyer Babar Awan, underlined that there were threats on Imran’s life, noting that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had already stated the same.