Former Pakistani Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, Imran Khan, has requested the Lahore High Court (LHC) to allow him to appear in the 121 cases registered against him through video-link. Khan has filed a civil miscellaneous application in the court, stating that the cases against him are false and he faces a threat to his life during his repeated appearances before various judicial forums. He added that he is entitled to security as a former prime minister, which is not being provided to him.
Khan has requested the court to allow him to appear through video-link for all cases within the LHC’s jurisdiction, which will be cost-effective and viable for the administration of the criminal justice system. He also asked the court to direct the authorities to facilitate him and make necessary arrangements in this regard.
A five-judge larger bench of the LHC, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, is set to resume hearing the petition filed by Khan seeking the quashing of the cases against him. The bench had directed Khan to join the investigation of the cases against him and directed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to present its report on Monday. The other members of the bench include Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun, and Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq.
Meanwhile, a JIT visited Zaman Park on Friday to record Khan’s statement and collect evidence of violence and attacks by PTI workers on police teams.
Khan’s request for video-link appearances is not the first time he has made such a request. In the past, he has also requested the court for this facility, citing security threats. In response, the LHC directed the government to provide adequate security to Khan during his court appearances.
The hearing of the case against Khan is being closely watched by his supporters and detractors alike. Some believe that the cases against him are politically motivated, while others believe that he should be held accountable for any wrongdoing.