Court rejects verification of Imran’s signatures through video, bailiff
Rejecting PTI chief Imran Khan’s lawyer’s request for a verification of his client’s signatures through video link or a bailiff, the Lahore High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing till 6:30pm.
The court was hearing Imran’s second plea for a protective bail, filed earlier today, in the case of a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan.
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer Azhar Siddique sought time to get instructions from his client.
Another lawyer, Ghulam Abbas Niswana, suggested they can get Khan’s signatures afresh.
Justice Sheikh said Imran Khan must appear before him and verify the signatures. He said the matter is very serious.
Azhar Siddique suggested they could confirm the signatures through a bailiff or video link.
The judge remarked this will not happen. The petitioner should verify personally, or a contempt of court notice will be issued.
On Thursday morning, the former prime minister had filed another petition in the Lahore High Court for a protective bail.
An anti-terrorism court of Islamabad had on Wednesday rejected the bail application in the case against Imran Khan for protesting outside the election commission office.
Mr Khan had then filed an application for a protective bail with the Lahore High Court. However, he failed to appear before the court despite several opportunities given to him.
Khan then filed another application for bail with the LHC.
Filed on medical grounds, the application said doctors had advised Imran Khan against travelling. Therefore, he should be exempted from appearance.
A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, was set to hear the petition.
