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LHC throws out Imran Khan’s protective bail plea in ECP protest case

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LAHORE: As Imran Khan failed to appear in person before the Lahore High Court (LHC), it rejected the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s plea seeking protective bail in a case registered against him over protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office.

The LHC announced the verdict as the PTI chief did not appear before the court even after multiple adjournments today.

Khan moved the high court after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad cancelled his bail in the same case a day earlier over non-appearance.

The ousted prime minister, who was removed from power via a no-confidence move, was booked in the case in October last year after the Toshakhana verdict was announced by the ECP, sparking countrywide protests. Khan had been on bail on medical grounds after he was injured in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad during a rally on November 3.

Today’s hearing  

At the outset of the hearing, Advocate Azhar Siddique submitted his power of attorney on behalf of Imran Khan who was directed to appear before the court in person today.

“A meeting with Imran Khan’s doctors is going on and the party has concerns over his security,” the lawyer argued before the court and requested additional time.

“How much time do you need?” asked Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.

To this query, the counsel said that they will try their best to ensure Imran Khan’s presence in two hours.

After hearing this, the court adjourned the hearing till 12:30pm.

Once the hearing resumed, Siddique’s associate requested more time. The court then adjourned the hearing till 2pm.

When the hearing resumed again, the counsel told the court that another bail plea has been filed. He also shared that they had met the doctors and are ready to follow court orders. The lawyer also told the court that the doctor of the former prime minister was also present in the court.

However, Justice Sheikh said that they do not want to hear from the doctor. “Imran Khan must appear in court,” he remarked.

The counsel then asked the court to wait for the other bail plea that was being filed.

“There is no need to wait for it, present your arguments on the current petition,” asked Justice Sheikh.

The lawyer then told the judge that he wants to withdraw the current petition.

At this, Justice Sheikh remarked the problem is that there are different signs of Imran Khan on the affidavit and power of attorney.

“How can the signatures be different?” asked the court.

Khan’s lawyer then asked the court to give him time to look into the matter.

“You look at it right now. Someone tried to commit fraud, I will issue contempt of court notice to you or Imran Khan,” remarked Justice Sheikh. He added that he will not allow the petition to be taken back till the issue is resolved.

“I will have to take instructions from Imran Khan on this,” responded Siddique.

The court then took notice of the different signatures and adjourned the hearing till 6:30 pm.

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The PPP and PML-N will confer on power-sharing arrangements in Punjab today.

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The coordination committees of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are scheduled to convene today at the Governor’s House in Lahore to deliberate on power-sharing arrangements in Punjab.

The PPP delegation would comprise Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mahmood, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Hassan Murtaza, and Ali Haider Gilani.

Ishaq Dar, Azam Nazir Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, and Maryam Aurangzeb will represent the PML-N.

The conference will discuss local issues in Punjab and offer a forum for the PPP to express its concerns over its collaboration with PML-N in the province.

Both parties seek to fortify their partnership and optimize governance techniques in Punjab.

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Sheikh Rasheed says PTI and government negotiations won’t provide any results.

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Sheikh Rasheed voiced his worries about the nation’s ongoing political dilemma while speaking outside the Anti-Terrorism Court.

According to Sheikh Rasheed, a committee was established to negotiate, but the process has not produced any tangible results. In order to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, he said, “Political conditions are extremely bad.”

He made the joke, “Even after war, if negotiations fail, then it will all come down to judo karate,” in reference to the next steps.

“Everyone there prays for Pakistan’s betterment,” Sheikh Rasheed, who had returned from Saudi Arabia, said. He emphasized the necessity for the nation’s circumstances to improve and stabilize.

Assad Qaiser, a former speaker and PTI leader, had earlier called on Speaker Ayaz Sadiq of the National Assembly to discuss the official start of talks with the government.

The two leaders shared their opinions on bringing parties together on matters of national importance and reducing political tensions and conflict.

“I will persuade my people, you persuade the hardliners in your party,” Ayaz Sadiq said to Assad Qaiser.

The party’s founder is in jail, and the PTI leadership has asked to meet with him. “We will continue to confer with him,” Assad Qaiser declared.

Earlier, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai stated that if the discussions don’t begin, a campaign of civil disobedience will begin on December 14.

Speaking to the media Regarding the meetings, Yousafzai claimed that the government ministers were making insincere remarks.

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Bushra Bibi maintains bail as the IHC concludes the FIA’s petition.

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) conducted a hearing about the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) plea for the revocation of Bushra Bibi’s bail.

The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, rejected the FIA’s petition during the hearing.

Judicial Proceedings

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb sought information regarding Bushra Bibi’s location, to which her attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, affirmed her attendance in court.

The judge urged the counsel to regard the matters with gravity, underscoring the necessity of adherence to trial protocols.

The court sought details about instances where Bushra Bibi had been exempted from attending trial hearings and clarified that if the High Court grants bail and the accused fails to appear, the trial court holds the authority to cancel the bail.

Justice Aurangzeb assured that such actions would not amount to contempt of the High Court’s order.

Based on these considerations, the court closed the proceedings and dismissed the FIA’s plea.

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