The LHC continues hearing on Imran Khan’s bail appeal, despite ECP protests.

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) began hearing on Thursday on a plea filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking protective bail in the matter of a demonstration outside Pakistan’s Election Commission (ECP).

As Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh started his hearing, Advocate Azhar Siddique presented himself as the former prime minister’s counsel. Mr Khan had complete faith in the judiciary, according to the lawyer.

“We may seek an exception from the court if Imran Khan is not permitted to go by the doctor,” he added. Mr Khan, he claimed, is the leader of the country’s major political party, and he has received death threats.

He also hinted at presenting another request seeking exemption from personal attendance in the case, adding: “We are ponding over two separate issues in the case”. Following his comments, the judge delayed the hearing to 12:30 p.m. today.

Mr Khan submitted the protected bail petition after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) revoked his release in a case brought against him for demonstrating outside the ECP headquarters on Wednesday.

The high court, however, conditioned Mr Khan’s release on his personal attendance in the case and ordered him to appear before it till 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The appellant should be brought before the court on a stretcher or in an ambulance until 8 p.m., according to Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.

Also read: The IHC prevents the banking court from hearing Imran Khan’s bail application in the financing case.

Mr Khan indicated in his plea that he was a law-abiding citizen who wished to submit himself to the court. He sought to submit a new interim bail plea in court, so protective bail should be granted to him, according to the plea.

The appeal further said that Mr Khan had been named in the case in order to politically victimise him. According to the petition, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) denied the bail request and did not grant Mr Khan a medical exemption from appearing in court.