ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday granted extension in the pre-arrest bail of PTI chairman Imran Khan till September 20, in a terror case registered against him for allegedly threatening Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally in the federal capital on August 20.
The case was heard by ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan. Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi informed the court that the PTI chairman had not yet joined the investigation, despite three notices were issued to him. Baba Awan, senior counsel for Imran Khan, however apprised the court that his client had submitted his written statement to the police.
When the judge inquired from the investigation officer (IO) whether Imran Khan had submitted his written statement with him. He replied in affirmative. The court then reprimanded the IO for not making the statement of Imran Khan as part of the case’ record. During the hearing Imran Khan was present in the court.
Imran Khan was booked under various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ACT) for making threatening remarks against an additional sessions judge and senior officials of the Islamabad Police in his speech at a rally.
PTI had moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to grant Imran Khan a transit bail till August 25, but the court had directed the former Prime Minister to approach the ATC as it was a terror case.
The FIR registered against Imran Khan stated that he threatened the Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and top police officers at a rally in F-9 Park to “terrorise” police officials and the judiciary. The FIR was registered on the complaint of Magistrate Ali Javed in Islamabad’s Margalla Police Station under Section 7 of ATA.