Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan has been granted bail in the Toshakhana 2 case, but his release remains unlikely due to legal complications stemming from other cases filed against him.
The hurdles arise from three cases registered in Rawalpindi during protests on September 28 and October 5. These cases, all of which include anti-terrorism charges, are filed at the Naseerabad, Newtown, and Taxila police stations. Notably, Imran Khan has not been formally arrested in these cases yet.
Moreover, bail bonds have not been submitted in five cases linked to the events of May 9. While bail bonds have been successfully submitted in seven other May 9 cases, the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) cannot issue a release order until the remaining bail bonds are submitted.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted bail to PTI Founder Imran Khan in Toshakhana 2 case.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb granted the bail. Defence lawyer Salman Safdar said the statement read out was recorded by the NAB investigation officer, adding that now the matter had gone to the FIA. The FIA prosecutor said statements under Section 164 are recorded before a magistrate.
Justice Aurangzeb said that after the law changed, the case went from the NAB to FIA. "What action was taken against the three Customs officers who calculated the wrong price?" asked the court.
The FIA prosecutor said Customs officers committed negligence, but it did not constitute criminal misconduct. "The NAB did not recommend any departmental action against those officers," he added.
"Let's just say that they are very good people," Justice Aurangzeb remarked, eliciting laughter in the courtroom.
The court directed Imran Khan to submit bonds of Rs1 million each and also appear in trial court after being released on bail. "If the accused does not cooperate with the court during trial, the bail order may be withdrawn," the court declared.
