The former prime minister is in trouble for issuing threatening remarks targeting two top police officers and a judge in his speech at a charged party rally.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: The anti-terrorism court has granted interim bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan until September 1 in the terrorism case on Thursday.
The case was heard by Judge Jawad Abbas of the Anti-Terrorism Court. Imran Khan appeared in the court along with his lawyer Babar Awan.
A case has been registered against Imran Khan, the chief of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, under the section of terrorism in Margalla police station. Magistrate Ali Javed is the plaintiff in the case.
According to the prosecution, three people were threatened. The IG, Additional IG and Magistrate Zeba were named, but none of the three became complainants and the police registered a case of terrorism.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is seen entering the court premises in this video, courtesy of
In his arguments, Babar Awan told the court that ‘sharm karo’ was considered as threat. Such threats have been given before and many ministers in this government were among those using such theats.
Awan argued that Khan told the IG and DIG that he would not spare them, that he would file a case. This only means Khan would take legal action.
That’s why the United Nations has taken notice, the whole world has cried out, said Awan.
Khan had also called out Magistrate Zeba, telling her to get ready, saying he would take action against her.
Arguing his party had indeed taken action and gone to the High Court, Awan requested the court for interim bail for a longer period and told the court that Imran Khan is contesting by-elections in nine constituencies.
The court granted him bail only until September 1.
Strict security arrangements have been made on the occasion of the appearance of the former Prime Minister in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad today.
A heavy contingent of Islamabad Police has been deployed around the judicial complex while all the roads leading to the complex have been cordoned off with barbed wire. Journalists will also be allowed limited access to the Anti-Terrorism Court.
On August 22, Imran Khan approached the Islamabad High Court for protective bail in the case. Islamabad High Court has granted protective bail to Imran Khan till August 25.
On the other hand, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said in a statement that the government will urge the court to reject Imran Khan’s bail. According to the federal minister, government will ensure that Imran Khan would be arrested from the court.
This is not the first time that a case has been registered against Imran Khan under terrorism provisions. Earlier, Imran Khan was booked under terrorism provisions for attacking PTV and Parliament during the 2013 sit-in.
Last week, on August 20, a case was registered against former Prime Minister Imran Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Margalla police station on the complaint of Ali Javed, the magistrate of Sadar area of Islamabad.
Khan had delivered the offending remarks on August 20, addressing a rally held on his call against the arrest of his chief of staff Shehbaz Gill.
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