ISLAMABAD: A distri­­ct and sessions court on Tu­­esday directed the prosecution to ensure appearance of former prime minister Imran Khan at the next hearing either in person or through a video link, while extending his pre-arrest bail in five ca­­s­es, including the attem­p­ted murder of ex-minister Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha.

Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka restrained police from arresting the PTI founder in the said cases and also extended the pre-arrest bail of Bushra Bibi in one related matter. The hearing was adjourned till Feb 18.

During the proceedings, the PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were represented by their legal team. However, despite earlier directions, the former prime minister could not be produced before the court through a video link. Owing to his absence and the unavailability of his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, arguments on the acquittal application could not be advanced.

The court subsequently directed that the PTI fou­nder must appear at the next hearing either personally or via video link.

The cases against the PTI founder stem from the May 9 incidents and incl­ude charges of attempted murder, submission of fake receipts and other offences. A separate case has also been registered against Bushra Bibi for allegedly submitting fake receipts.

Also, Additional Distr­ict and Sessions Judge Amir Zia extended the interim bail of Bushra Bibi in a case related to the November 26 protest.

Meanwhile, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra deferred indictment proceedings in the Sangjani Jalsa case due to the non-appearance of the accused PTI lawmakers.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026