Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan filed a pre-arrest bail application in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday (August 22) to avoid arrest in a terror case filed against him last night.
However, Khan has been granted a three day transit bail till August 25.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and Babar Awan filed the plea on Khan’s behalf, who maintained in the plea that the former prime minister is ready to appear before the court whenever summoned.
“There is no chance of fleeing or damaging evidence presented by the prosecution. Imran Khan is also ready to submit money as surety against his bail,” the plea stated.
A first information report (FIR) was filed against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening a judge and two top police officials during his speech on August 20.
“Imran Khan hamaari Red Line”
“Imran Khan hamaari Red Line” [Imran Khan is our red line] started trending on Twitter after reports of Khan’s likely arrest surfaced on Sunday.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that he was at Bani Gala with a number of workers at Khan’s residence.
Ali Amin Gandapur threatened taking over Islamabad, warning the police not to be a “part of this political war anymore”.
“If Imran Khan is arrested by the imported government we will take over Islamabad,” he warned. “And my message to the police is that don’t be part of this political war anymore, otherwise we will deal [with] you as PDM workers. Let PTI and PDM leadership and workers fight and decide once and for all.”
Interior Ministry seeks permission for arrest from PM Shehbaz
According to The News, the interior ministry has sought written permission from PM Office for the arrest of the PTI chairman. Khan will be arrested with the consensus of all parties in the ruling alliance.
However, Pakistan People’s Party leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari has opposed the arrest of Imran Khan. He believes that the arrest will be politically damaging for the government.
Read more: PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches
Earlier, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on the live telecast of speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.