Imran Khan’s bail in ECP case extended by Anti-terror court
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s bail was extended by an anti-terror court on Monday, in a case pertaining to protests against the ECP’s decision to disqualify him.
Imran’s National Assembly seat was declared vacant by a four-member ECP bench after it was unanimously determined that he had lied to authorities regarding the gifts he received from foreign visitors while serving as prime minister.
According to the written decision, the PTI leader “intentionally and deliberately” violated the provisions of Sections 137, 167, and 173 of the Elections Act of 2017, as he provided a “false statement” and “incorrect declaration” to the ECP in the details of his assets and liabilities filed by him for the fiscal year 2020–21.
It had added that the PTI chief had attracted disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with Sections 137 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017.
“Consequently he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and his seat has become vacant accordingly,” it had read.
On main and connecting roads in cities and villages, PTI supporters and workers, headed by local party leaders, had demonstrated against the ruling by burning tyres, yelling protest signs, and occasionally squabbling with police.
In Rawalpindi’s Faizabad Interchange, there were fights between police and PTI supporters, and one protester is said to have been hurt. To stop the protesters from entering Islamabad, the police used massive tear gas shelling.
The protests were called by senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, who said that the party would challenge the ECP decision in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and urged people to take to the streets “for their rights”.
Soon after the announcement, PTI workers blocked roads in many cities. The reports of roads and highways closure in various cities created a state of fear and uncertainty among the people.
Imran announced the cancellation of the protests by his supporters in a video message that was made public after he was declared ineligible. He advised his party’s members to concentrate on the “long march” on Islamabad, which would be the “largest protest movement” in the nation.
Nevertheless, after protests broke out following news that Imran had been disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in October, a case was opened against the PTI Chairman at the Sangjani police station.
Imran Khan’s bail in ECP case extended by Anti-terror court
Imran’s attorney, Babar Awan, appeared in court today during the hearing to ask the judge to grant the PTI leader’s plea for a medical leave of absence.
Granting Imran exemption the court extended the bail until January 10th and adjourned proceedings until then.
