ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), Wednesday, extended the bail of Imran Khan, chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Al-Qadir Trust case for three days, while it also extended bail for 10 days in cases registered after May 9.

A division bench of the IHC comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz heard the petition filed by Imran and directed him to approach the relevant accountability court within the same time period.

Khawaja Haris advocate represented Imran while National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor Muazaffar Abbassi appeared on behalf of the Bureau.

During an informal conversation with the journalists in the courtroom, the PTI chairman dispelled the impression of any differences between him and President Dr Arif Alvi. When Imran was asked whether he was in contact with President Alvi, he replied that it is not true that he has no contact with the president. He said that had the president not signed the document then it would have become a law either way.

He further said that in the present scenario, there is no choice except to hold elections. He maintained that government and the establishment is the same thing and the latter is running the government.

Imran Khan also said that he started talks with the ruling coalition for the sake of the country. In response to another question related to the PTI leaders and members who were leaving the party, he said that this is an attempt to blackmail him.

During the hearing, Haris said that his client was appearing before multiple courts in Islamabad which was leading to a number of security issues. He added that apparently, millions of rupees are spent in the name of security on the petitioner’s arrival at the court.

Justice Miangul asked if Imran had joined NAB’s investigation into the case to which Haris replied in the affirmative. Subsequently, the court directed the PTI chief to approach a relevant accountability court within three working days. It also extended Imran’s protective bail in the case for three days.

The IHC also heard two more petitions filed by the PTI chairman related to the violation of Section 144 and a bar on Islamabad police for arresting him in any case registered after May 9.

Imran’s lawyer said that over 150 cases were registered against his client which means that he has to appear for investigation in every case. Later, the IHC bench extended Imran’s protective bail on both petitions for 10 days and restrained the police from arresting him in any case lodged within the jurisdiction of Islamabad after May 9.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023