The Lahore High Court on Tuesday rejected a petition from the PTI Chief Imran seeking an injunction against a possible raid at his Zaman Park residence during the week-long Eid holidays. However, the court has ordered the authorities not to harass the former prime minister.

A five-member bench under Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and comprising Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun and Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq took up the petition on Tuesday.

Imran Khan arrived at the court surrounded by a number of guards who covered him with bulletproof shields.

Khan’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar and Advocate Azhar Siddique sought “accelerated hearing” for an injunction against a possible raid on Zaman Khan and the arrest of Imran Khan against any new case.

The PTI legal team had earlier filed similar petitions, but the new petition demanded an accelerated hearing.

The court issued a short order at the end of Tuesday’s hearing and said that since the earlier petition had been fixed for hearing on May 2, the petition for accelerated hearing was being dismissed.

“Since the main case is fixed for hearing on 02.05.2023, therefore, no grounds for accelerated hearing are available. Resultantly, this application is dismissed,” the order said.

However, the court took notice of the statement made by a law officer in the court.

At one point during the hearing, Justice Najafi remarked that “we don’t think an operation will take place in five to six days”.

Upon this, the law officer said, “Whatever happens, if it does, will be as per the law.”

It was this statement that prompted the bench to order the authorities to refrain from causing “undue harassment” to Imran Khan.

“… keeping in view the statement given by Ghulam Sarwar Nihung, learned law officer, until the date on which the main case is fixed, the petitioner will be dealt with in accordance with law and no undue harassment be caused to the petitioner,” the order said.