LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Monday issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other respondents on a petition by PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, seeking details of cases and inquiries against him. The bench also expressed concerns at the arrest of the former prime minister in new cases after bail in previous ones.

The bench, comprising Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza and Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry, heard the petition.

Advocate Khurram Latif Khosa argued on behalf of the petitioner that his client was being implicated in new cases on political grounds despite suspension of his sentences in a number of cases.

Issues notices to NAB, FIA, others on plea for cases details

He said the petitioner apprehended humiliation and disrespect through implication in more false cases and that the court should prevent the abuse of process of law and safeguard against the violations of fundamental rights of the petitioner.

At this, the bench expressed its concern at Imran’s arrest in new cases.

The counsel stated that the petitioner wanted to determine the number and nature of the cases and inquiries pending against him.

He asked the court to summon the details of all cases against Imran and also issue an order, preventing his arrest in any undisclosed case. He also urged the court to provide an interim relief by restraining the respondents from arresting Imran Khan till the time a list of all the cases, including particulars, was furnished to him.

However, the bench did not pass a restraining order and sought replies from the respondents within a week. Other respondents include the IGP and the Anti-Corruption Establishment.

BAIL: An anti-terrorism court adjourned the petitions of Imran Khan, seeking post-arrest bail in four cases of the May 9 riots.

Judge Khalid Arshad deferred the hearing without any progress due to unavailability of Barrister Salman Safdar, the lead counsel for the petitioner.

The judge would resume the hearing on Aug 8.

Imran has sought bail in four cases of burning the PML-N office in Model Town, a container near Kalma Chowk and police vehicles in Gulberg during the May 9 riots.

Hearing on bail petitions in eight other cases, including an attack on the residence of Lahore’s corps commander, would be held on Tuesday (today).

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2024