LHC orders Imran Khan to join in investigation of all 121 cases filed against him

Lahore High Court ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to join in the investigation of all cases registered against him.

On Tuesday, PTI chief Imran Khan appeared before the LHC in person, where a 5 member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqir Najafi heard the petition filed against the registration of 121 cases against Imran Khan and PTI leaders.

The plea nominates the federation of Pakistan, the province of Punjab, Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar, and other provincial and federal authorities, as parties.

Furthermore, LHC also directed the Punjab government to submit a report after completing the investigations by May 8.

At the beginning of the hearing, Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked that we have read your petition, the petition is well drafted but the petition mostly talks about the performance of PTI.

Justice Alia Neelam remarked that read beyond para 7 of the petition because behind it you have told about the petitioner, is Imran Khan named in all 121 FIRs?

Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar requested the court provide him with 15 min to put his entire case before the court.

He said that the government is misusing power and targeting Imran Khan for political revenge, this case is of a 71-year-old man who is a Pakistani citizen, who has to get bail every day which is not possible.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked that if you want cases to be dismissed, highlight the points.

Imran Khan’s lawyer said that Imran Khan was attacked in Wazirabad, and in every case, the police become the plaintiff, there are 140 cases.

He added that police must be told in which cases Imran Khan needs to be arrested, the cases are being discharged, and the quality of the cases is so bad. And that filing more than one case on the same incident is a violation of fundamental rights.

He further said that all this is being done on a political basis so that elections cannot be held and campaigns cannot be conducted, there is a case in which a case was made against 2500 people but only Imran Khan got bail in this case.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked that this whole matter has to be seen by the trial court, why are you bypassing the whole process?

Imran Khan’s lawyer said that after the arrest, there is a route maintained in Pakistan, from Lahore to Karachi, to Islamabad and then Quetta, adding, “I want to end this route.”

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked that unfortunately this route was not taken for the first time.

Justice Anwar-ul-Haq Pannu inquired about the total number of cases registered against Imran Khan, to which Imran Khan’s lawyer replied that we have taken bail in 25 cases so far.

Justice Anwar-ul-Haq Pannu inquired what do you want from the court, speak directly instead of beating about the bush.

Justice Alia Neelam remarked that summons were sent to the petitioner but the summons was not allowed to be complied with, whether there was no obstruction, the summons became another form of obstruction of compliance, whether any police officer on the day of the execution of the warrant.

Imran Khan’s lawyer said that the police officer must have been injured.

Justice Alia Neelam remarked that if the police officer was injured then an investigation is required, the investigating officer will tell what happened so let the investigation be done.

Imran Khan’s lawyer said that security was not even given to Imran Khan as a former prime minister, security was given to Imran Khan in the papers but not in reality, Imran Khan put his life in the palm of his hand to get justice in false cases. They come to court every day.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi remarked that since the case was registered before the larger bench, there has been no new FIR, to which Imran Khan’s lawyer replied, “No, there is no new FIR now, let the police tell the court how many cases.” Imran Khan’s arrest is necessary, all the cases can be combined and one court can be appointed, which can solve the security problem.

Justice Ali Baqir Najafi asked the public prosecutor why there was no case for 71 years, and why cases are being filed after the change of government, they are saying that it is being done to keep them away from the elections.

The lawyer for the Punjab government said that it is seeking extra relief from the court because it has remained prime minister and won the World Cup, the system is being bypassed by the petition.

Justice Anwar-ul-Haq Pannu remarked that after the creation of Pakistan, the government has registered 150 cases against how many people, what are you doing?

Justice Tariq Saleem Shaikh remarked that the fundamental rights of death row prisoners are also taken care of, this is also the decision of the Supreme Court.

The lawyer of the Punjab government said that Imran Khan does not come to court these days, not even a single pot is broken or there is a traffic block, Imran Khan has not joined the investigation in a single case.

Justice Alia Neelam remarked that bail is taken for the purpose of joining the investigation, and you should be included in the investigation in all the cases, it was said that there will be an operation during the Eid holidays, but nothing happened, on this Imran Khan’s lawyer said that we are ready to be investigated in all cases.

Justice Alia Neelam remarked that you do not allow the police to reach you, so a new FIR is registered.