Court orders proceedings to continue without Imran's presence in May 9 cases

An anti-terrorism court issued an order on Saturday to continue legal proceedings against PTI founder Imran Khan in cases linked to the May 9 even in his absence.  During the hearing on Imran's temporary bail pleas in cases related to the arson at Jinnah House, Askari Tower, PML-N House and other locations, the court extended the bail till March 1.  ATC Judge Arshad Javed said the PTI founder does not have access to a video link and is not present on WhatsApp either, hence his attendance could not be recorded. The court said that the Adiala jail superintendent is liable for contempt as he did not ensure Imran's attendance through electronic means and the hearing on bail pleas would have been delayed by several days. Read Imran, his ex-ministers get bail in May 9 cases Deputy Prosecutor Abdul Jabbar Dogar did not object to the decision based on merit. The prosecutor asserted that the accused's presence is not crucial as everyone knows that Imran is presently incarcerated at Adiala jail. Imran's lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, concurred with the suggestion and agreed to the proposal to complete the arguments without the accused's presence and requested the court to decide on temporary bail today.

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