Imran’s bail in the ECP case has been extended by the anti-terror court.
After the head of the PTI failed to appear before the judge for medical reasons, the hearing was postponed until January 10.
An anti-terror court on Monday extended Imran Khan’s bail in a case involving protests over the ECP’s decision to disqualify him. Imran Khan is the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister.
Imran’s National Assembly seat was declared void 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 also stated that the PTI leader was disqualified in accordance with Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution as well as Sections 137 and 173 of the 2017 Elections Act.
It had stated, “Therefore, he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and his seat has correspondingly become empty.”
On main and connecting roads in cities and villages, PTI fans and employees, 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 a lot of tear gas.
Fawad Chaudhry, a prominent PTI official, called for the protests by announcing that the party would appeal the ECP judgement in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and urging people to demonstrate “for their rights.”
In numerous locations, PTI workers blocked roads shortly after the announcement. There was panic and confusion among the populace due to stories of roads and highways closing in numerous places.
Imran announced the cancellation of the protests by his followers 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 “biggest 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’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.
The judge deferred the case until January 10 after granting Imran’s request for an exemption.
