PTI Chairman Imran Khan arrived in the federal capital from Lahore on Thursday to appear in person in the Islamabad High Court. He won bail extension in multiple cases and returned home in the afternoon.

Several PTI leaders, including his counsel Babar Awan, had expressed fears earlier in the day that he could be arrested, but the former prime minister traveled back to Lahore in the evening without facing any police attempt to arrest him.

A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court warned Khan of rejecting his pre-arrest bails in eight cases if he continued to skip court hearings.

He decided to appear before the court on Thursday.

The court extended his bail in two cases being heard at lower courts until May 9. It also approved bail extension in seven other cases for ten days.

Two cases related to bail applications were heard by a single bench, while seven cases related to terrorism were heard by a division bench.

The two-member bench under Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Justice Amir Farooq heard PTI counsel Salman Safdar, who told the court that for “some reasons” he did not directly approach the trial courts.

The lawyer told the court that the police continued to harass the PTI chief.

However, the judges said the PTI would have to approach the trial courts in the end.

When PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Jehangir Jadoon continued to speak in the court, Justice Farooq reprimanded them. The court reserved the ruling on bail pleas and then announced it later.

Khan in wheelchair

The PTI chief was in a wheelchair. He was accompanied by his party leaders. Asad Umar tweeted his picture and said Khan respected the law and appeared before the court despite his condition but Nawaz Sharif had failed to return from London.

“Despite swelling on my foot and since the court has summoned me, I want to say that we respect our courts,” Khan said in a video message before leaving his Lahore residence, Zaman Park.

At least 15 lawyers were allowed to enter the courtroom with Khan, Aaj News correspondent reported. Lawyers and journalists’ entry to courtroom number one was through a special pass.

After the court’s ultimatum on Wednesday, PTI’s Shibli Faraz confirmed that his party chief would attend the court hearing. The IHC had warned Khan’s lawyer that the former prime minister’s bail would be canceled if his client fails to appear in court. Khan’s bail was extended for one more day with a final warning.

Khan, who was ousted in April 2022, accused “others” of running propaganda against judges if their decisions of the cases were not in favour of them.

Three days ago, he informed the Lahore High Court that two attempts were made on his life: Wazirabad and Judicial Complex. He reiterated saying “Dirty Harry”—a term used by him colloquially to describe the suspect.

He claimed that the same element was behind the case against PTI leader Murad Saeed. “I want to say it clearly that if anything happened to me, ‘Dirty Harry’ would be behind this, not any terrorist or foreign agency.”

The PTI chief went on to call upon his supporters to take to the streets for an hour on Saturday at 5:30pm in order to show solidarity with the CJP as he alleged that a “mafia” was against the CJP.

He accused the mafia of creating “divisions” in the Supreme Court.

Khan announced that he would start four public gathering events in support of the CJP and the Consitution. He announced his intention to lead the rally in Lahore. Similar processions would be organised in Peshawar, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi on Saturday.

Security ramped up

Meanwhile, the Islamabad police said that according to the court orders security measures have been taken for the appearance of Khan.

“All the arrangements are as usual which were done in the previous appearances as well,” it said and urged the people to avoid propaganda and rumours.

Earlier, the Islamabad police tweeted that Section 144 (ban on the gathering of people) was in force in the federal capital.

“Any kind of gathering will be illegal. In view of public order, there will be a diversion on G-Ten Project Mor and Aun Muhammad Rizvi Road,” it said.

“There is reliable information about a heinous action plan against Imran Khan, he may be arrested after appearing in the Islamabad High Court today,” said PTI leader Babar Awan.

Awan, who expressed his apprehension, demanded the chief justice take immediate notice of the situation.

Wednesday’s proceedings

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the bail petition on Wednesday filed by the PTI chairman in inciting mutiny case filed at the Ramna police station.

Khan’s lawyer argued that on the instructions of the doctors, his client has decided not to travel on Wednesday. His injuries were apparently exacerbated during his last appearance on Tuesday.

His exemption from appearance in the court would be filed today, the lawyer added.

The IHC chief justice expressed his displeasure over the absence of the former prime minister. He asked the lawyer where the petitioner was. The lawyer replied that he did not come, and an application for exemption from his appearance has been filed.

IHC Chief Justice Farooq directed Khan to appear in court otherwise his bail woudl be cancelled. Later, the court adjourned the hearing.

Previous hearing

IHC granted interim bail to PTI chief Khan till May 3 in a case pertaining to inciting mutiny last week.

IHC Chief Justice Farooq heard the petition. Barrister Salman Safdar and Faisal Chaudhry appeared before the court on behalf of the former PM.

Khan’s legal team claimed that there were serious security threats to their client, due to which there can be an “assassination attempt” again. The team urged the court to grant interim bail to their client.

Faisal argued the court should also dismiss the objections filed by the registrar’s office on Khan’s petition. After hearing the arguments, the court granted an interim to the PTI chairman till May 3 after the submission of surety bonds worth Rs100,000.

Case registered at Ramna police station

On April 6, Manzoor Ahmed Khan, a magistrate, filed a first information report at the city’s Ramna police station against the PTI chief for “spreading hatred between the institutions and the public” and for “trying to cause unforgivable damage to the institutions and their top officers”.

The PTI chief has been charged with multiple offenses in an FIR filed against him under sections 138 (abetment of act of insubordination by soldier, sailor or airman), 500 (punishment for defamation), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

More to follow