Anti-terrorism court grants bail to Imran Khan on maiden appearance

ISLAMABAD - An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday approved bail of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in four cases including attack on building of Pakistan Television and parliament.

The PTI chief along with his counsel reached the court, which had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him and initiated the process to declared him proclaimed offender as he skipped all hearings in the cases.

The court has directed Khan to coordinate with police in the investigation and record statement.

The bail in four cases was approved against surety bond of Rs200,000 each. The hearing has been adjourned till November 24.

Speaking to the media, Imran said the party was peacefully protesting the alleged rigging in 2013 elections during sit-ins staged in 2014 but a terrorism case was registered against them.

Khan and his political cousin are facing charges of torturing then Islamabad Operations SSP Asmatullah Junejo and attacking state buildings and damaging public properties in Red Zone during the sit-in staged by PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

In August 2014, a clash erupted between police and protesters in Islamabad when protesters tried to breach the security cordon after the government, PTI and PAT failed to break the deadlock on the resignation of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif

In the clash, three protesters were killed and more than 500 injured including police officials. SSP Junejo was also among the injured.