LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday extended the pre-arrest bail of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and two sisters of incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan in multiple cases of May 9 riots and other violence.
Both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan appeared in the court on expiry of their bail period, however, Mr Raja did not attend the hearing.
His lawyer sought a one-time exemption from personal appearance, informing the court that Mr Raja was unable to personally attend the hearing due to illness.
ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed allowed the request and extended the pre-arrest bail of the PTI leader in two cases of Oct 5 protests.
A lawyer for Imran Khan’s sisters argued that both petitioners were in Rawalpindi jail due to another case on Oct 5.
The judge expressed his displeasure when a prosecutor requested additional time to present arguments.
The judge observed, “What fault lies with the accused that they must repeatedly appear in court?”
The judge maintained that the next hearing would conclude the matter regardless of availability of the prosecution.
The judge extended the bail of both sisters in the Oct 5 cases till Feb 12.
The judge also extended their bail in the Jinnah House attack case till Feb 15.
Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2025
