ATC extends Imran Khan's interim bail till Dec 11

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday extended the interim bail of PTI Chief Imran Khan till December 11, 2017 in former Senior Superintendent of Police torture case during sit-in.

Imran Khan was also present in the court as the case has been registered against him by Secretariat Police in 2014 when he was heading an anti-government sit-in outside Parliament House.

After hearing the counsel representing Imran Khan, the Judge Shahrukh Arjumand extended the interim bail till December 11, 2017 (Monday).

Babar Awan, the counsel of PTI also challenged the jurisdiction of ATC to hear the four cases filed against Irman Khan and argued to drop terrorism charges against Imran Khan.

In a request submitted before the court on behalf of Imran Khan, Advocate Babar Awan sought the transfer of the four cases, dating back to 2014, to the civil court.

These four cases are regarding the torture on former SSP (Operations) Islamabad Asmat Ullah Junejo and attack on other personnel and attacking PTV building.

In his arguments, Babar Awan cited as precedent the dismissal of cases against the protesters who had camped out at the Faizabad Interchange for over 20 days. He also read the agreement between the protesters and government which resulted in end of sit-in.

Referring clause 3 of this agreement, he said that the government agreed to drop cases against the protesters and questioned as citizens' struggle for democratic rights fall within the scope of terrorism.

Babar Awan sought the dismissal of terrorism charges against Imran Khan. Judge Shahrukh Arjumand said that the cases against the protesters were not all dropped and the accused are still seeking bail.

On the other side, the prosecution alleged that during the 2014 sit-in, Khan had told his workers to attack the Inspector General and lay siege to the Prime Minister House.

He said there are evidences that Imran Khan had incited his workers at the time and argued for action against the PTI chief under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court extended Khan's interim bail till December 11, 2017.