Pakistan: Imran Khan reaches Lahore High Court; bail hearing underway
- In Reports
- 08:55 PM, Feb 20, 2023
- Myind Staff
Surrounded by scores of supporters, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan reached the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday for a hearing on a bail plea in connection with violent protests outside the election commission office last year, India Today reported.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists surrounded Imran Khan’s car and walked alongside his convoy as he travelled from Zaman Park to Lahore High Court.
Videos shared by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf showed flower petals being showered on Imran Khan’s convoy as he was enroute to the court.
Khan, who reached Lahore High Court at around 5 pm was unable to step out of the car as the PTI supporters surrounded his car, and chanted slogans against the sitting Shehbaz Sharif's government. PTI leaders and Imran's lawyer told the court that the former premier of Pakistan might "hurt his leg if he steps out of the vehicle to come to the courtroom."
Last week, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad rejected Imran Khan's request for an extension in his interim bail in the case linked to the violent protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Ahead of the hearing on Monday, a large contingent of police personnel was deployed at the main gate of the Lahore High Court.
The PTI leadership had asked party workers to stage protests across the country, including near the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), after Imran Khan was disqualified from the National Assembly last year over hiding details of party funding.
PTI leader Asad Umar, addressing a press conference, said that there were some 'security requisites' surrounding Khan's appearance in court, that he was unable to make it to the courtroom. Umar stressed that Khan was among few ex-prime ministers "on whom an assassination attempt has been made."
Meanwhile, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting said at the presser that Imran Khan "has made a 'tamasha' of the nation."
"He must present himself in the court," she said adding that "If Imran is given concession, then every person should be given that concession."
Image courtesy: Screengrab

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