May 9 cases : ATC orders court’s proceedings continue against Imran without his attendance

LAHORE: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has ordered to continue court’s proceedings without attendance of PTI founder Imran Khan in May 9 cases.

The hearing of interim bails of PTI founder Imran Khan in harming of Jinnah House Askari Tower, torching of PMLN House and 7 other cases took place in ATC Saturday.

The attendance of PTI founder Imran Khan through video link could not be completed during the hearing of the case by Judge Arshad Javed of ATC. As per court’s order the attendance of the accused could not be marked on WhatsApp.

The court expressed resentment over non-attendance of Imran through video link or WhatsApp from jail as per court’s order. The court remarked the decision will be delayed if the court waits for appearance and attendance of the accused. The court remarked, “Adiala jail superintendent has committed contempt of court. If we initiate contempt of court proceedings against the jail superintendent then the decision on the interim bail plea of the accused will stand delayed. We leave the matter of attendance of the accused from jail.”

The court ordered to continue court’s proceedings without attendance of PTI founder. The court will give decision on merit after arguments on the interim bail of the accused.

Deputy speaker Abdul Jabbar Dogar raised no objection on the matter of decision on merit during the hearing of the case. Prosecutor took the plea the attendance of the accused is not important. All know PTI founder is in jail. It is better that arguments on interim bail be completed without the attendance of the accused.

Barrister Sulman Safdar, counsel for PTI founder, agreed to the proposal for completing the arguments without attendance requesting court should decide interim bail matter today. The court extended interim bail of PTI founder in 7 cases till March 01.