Lahore: An anti-terrorism court last week approved pre-arrest bail till June 2 to Imran Khan in three terrorism cases filed against Pakistan's former prime minister in the wake of violence that erupted after his arrest on May 9.
Khan, 70, appeared at the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) amid tight security after he received permission for his vehicle to enter the court premises. According to a court official, the ATC granted pre-arrest bail to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief till June 2 in three terrorism cases, including the high-profile Jinnah House attack, and directed him to join the police investigation.
Khan assured the court that he would join the investigation, the official said. Earlier, Khan said everyone is condemning the attack on army installations and demanded a probe into it. When asked why he had not yet issued a statement condemning the attack on the top military officer's house in Lahore, he replied: “I have already done so...who is not condemning the attack on the Jinnah House Lahore? Tell me one person in Pakistan who is not doing it.”
Court orders release of Imran supporters
Meanwhile, a Pakistani court ordered the release of over 120 supporters of Imran Khan who were taken into custody in Punjab province following violent protests that erupted after the former prime minister's arrest on May 9. The Lahore high court (LHC) directed the government to release 123 workers of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party without delay. The orders were issued by Justice Anwarul Haq of the LHC during the hearing of a petition filed by PTI leader Farrukh Habib who sought the release of the detained party activists.
Military trial process initiated
Brushing aside the concerns of human rights groups, Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir has said that authorities have initiated a“legal process of trial” under stringent military laws against those involved in recent attacks on military installations following the arrest of Imran Khan.
Gen Munir made the disclosure during his visit to the Punjab province capital Lahore, the worst hit city by the violent protests. He said the “legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced under the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the constitution”.