Additional Sessions Judge Kamran Basharat Mufti, who approved Imran’s plea for exemption from personal appearance, directed that the former premier should ensure his presence in the next hearing of the case.

Imran’s lawyer Babar Awan told the court that his client could not appear in front of the court as he was in Lahore. Later, an application for exemption from hearing of the case was filed in the court.

A first information report (FIR) was registered against the PTI chief in August on charges of violating Section 144 (ban on public gatherings exceeding four persons) by holding a party rally in the federal capital on August 20.